It Is OK to Turn Across 1 Double-Yellow Line, but Not 2

Dear Street Smart:

We thought it was against the law to cross a double-yellow line in order to make a turn. We pass Western High School on Western Avenue in Anaheim. During school term, any number of people turn left across a double-yellow line. What is the law?

Jean Courtney, Anaheim Sgt. Ed Dougherty of the Anaheim Police Department said there is often confusion over double-yellow lines. To clear things up, a rundown from Dougherty and the state Driver Handbook:

* Drivers can turn left across one set of solid, double-yellow lines. If legal, U-turns are also allowed. You cannot cross solid double-yellow lines to pass another car.

* Drivers cannot turn across two sets of solid, double-yellow lines. The space in between represents a “solid” barrier.

* Drivers can turn across two sets of double-yellow lines if the inner lines are broken . Then the space in between is considered a left-turn lane.

Dear Street Smart:

While driving down the freeways and other major streets, you can’t help but notice the signs that say “Next two miles litter removal provided by XYZ Company.” How does that work? Do the employees actually do the clean-up, or do they pay Caltrans to do it? What about local fraternities that are responsible for a portion of Pacific Coast Highway? Also, can any family, person, or organization participate in this program?

Dana Bennett, Westminster Yes, anyone can participate in the Adopt-a-Highway or the newly created Adopt-a-Wall program. But unless your family is many times the size of the Brady Bunch, you probably wouldn’t have enough people to keep your segment clean.

On the other hand, money can make a difference. If you have it to spend, you can hire a contractor to do the work. For example, actress Bette Midler keeps a segment of the Ventura Freeway clean, but not by picking up the trash herself.

When a volunteer group adopts, chances are that the group’s members are out providing the labor, according to Caltrans spokesman Steve Saville. It’s less clear-cut with adoptive companies. Some hire contractors, while others may use employees to do the work. In either case, Caltrans provides the materials, be it paint or trash bags.

In Orange County, the Adopt-a-Highway program is full up. Those already enrolled have promised to keep their two-mile sections of highway free of litter by cleaning anywhere from twice a month to a few times a year, Saville said. Adoption contracts expire after two years but may be renewed.

The Adopt-a-Wall program began about two weeks ago, as an alternative to the Adopt-a-Highway program. Volunteers can request a section of wall that is at least a few hundred feet long. They’re dispatched to clean it whenever graffiti appears. The Caltrans goal is to have graffiti removed within three days after it is reported.

To aid in this, a new 24-hour graffiti hot line has been established, Saville said. Graffiti, or those painting graffiti, can be reported by phoning (714) 724-2500.

In both programs, Caltrans only allows adoptions only where workers can clean safely. Some freeway segments or walls are deemed too hazardous for anyone but Caltrans professionals. Even in the “safe” places, volunteers are only allowed out after having been properly trained and cloaked in reflective vests and hard hats.

A third Caltrans program allows volunteers to plant wildflowers along the freeways. In this program, volunteers must provide both labor and materials. So far, no group has signed up to plant flowers, Saville said.

Those interested in any of the Caltrans programs should phone (714) 724-2598. FYI, if you’d like a more in-depth look at the Adopt-a-Highway program, drop by your library and check out the front-page Times article written by Paul Feldman that ran last December 18.

Dear Street Smart:

Eastbound Alicia Parkway narrows from three to two through lanes at Marguerite Parkway in Mission Viejo, to make room for two left-turn lanes from Alicia to northbound Marguerite. Now that Alicia Parkway has been extended to Santa Margarita Parkway, fewer cars turn left. Why not remove one of the turn lanes and add a third through lane? It would eliminate a bottleneck at evening rush hour.

John P. Taylor, Mission Viejo Mission Viejo is waiting until fall before it makes any major changes to roads in that area, according to city engineer Shirley Land. The city wants to see how traffic patterns are responding to the extension of several major streets.

In addition to Alicia, Oso Parkway was extended in June from Felipe Road to Antonio Parkway. In the fall, Portola Parkway will be extended from El Toro Road to Bake Parkway.

“Before we go in and change different segments, we’re trying to be sure where the traffic is going,” Land said. “We are aware there are some needs for refining the system.”

One of the big changes that will occur is signal coordination along several streets out there, Land said.

In the meantime, alert drivers who have suggestions for improving the roads can pass them on to the city, Land said. That will aid the city in knowing what needs to be fine-tuned.

Street Smart appears Mondays in The Times Orange County Edition. Readers are invited to submit comments and questions about traffic, commuting and what makes it difficult to get around in Orange County. Include simple sketches if helpful. Letters may be published in upcoming columns. Please write to Danny Sullivan, c/o Street Smart, The Times Orange County, P.O. Box 2008, Costa Mesa, Calif. 92626. Include your full name, address and day and evening phone numbers. Letters may be edited, and no anonymous letters will be accepted.