Drivers to Get Help From Caltrans on Entering Car-Pool Lane

Dear Street Smart:

I have two questions, both pertaining to car-pool lanes. First, the southbound ramp to the Orange Freeway from Lambert Road has two lanes. Would it be feasible to make one lane a car-pool lane?

Second, when entering the northbound Costa Mesa Freeway from Chapman Avenue (east) in Orange, it is virtually impossible to cross all the lanes and legally enter the car-pool lane. Would it be possible to extend the entrance zone to the car-pool lane?

Kathy Jew, Brea

A couple of factors make it difficult to convert one of the lanes on the southbound Lambert Road ramp into a car-pool lane, said Joe El Harake, a car-pool lane expert for Caltrans. Heavy traffic and a lack of space pose the most significant problems, but the two left-turn lanes onto the ramp from westbound Lambert Road also make a car-pool lane in the vicinity undesirable. Motorists making left turns would find themselves trapped with no choice but to violate the car-pool lane, El Harake said.

Your second idea about extending the entrance of the car-pool lane northbound on the Costa Mesa Freeway near Chapman Avenue is one Caltrans plans to jump on soon. When the car-pool lane was designed, the entrance/exit locations near Chapman were designed to accommodate the Garden Grove Freeway only, El Harake said. Because of increased traffic, Caltrans plans to relocate the entrance and exit north of the existing location to better accommodate Chapman Avenue on-ramp car-pool lane users. This project should begin within the next six months, El Harake said.

*

Dear Street Smart:

Television spots illustrating proper and improper driving procedures should be a public service must. It would seem plausible that portions of traffic fines could be earmarked for this. Insurance companies could also kick in for the exposure, as it would drastically cut down on accident claims.

The “55 Alive” defensive driving course, offered through the American Assn. of Retired Persons, is a shining example of how driver education can drastically reduce traffic accidents. Though this program is primarily designated for drivers 55 years and older, it hammers home the importance of eliminating aggressive driving habits and becoming a courteous, knowledgeable and defensive driver. In addition to this problem, it has been my observation that two other behaviors head the list of bad driving habits: improper left-hand turns and failure to yield.

Dan Levine, Mission Viejo

The state’s Office of Traffic Safety does have public service announcements reminding motorists how to behave on the road, but publicity for these various traffic programs is lacking. It is up to the agency that offers a traffic safety program to solicit the office for any funds needed to publicize their work, said OTS spokeswoman Freda Radich.

The idea of giving all ages an opportunity to refresh their driving skills is a good one, said Officer John Marinez, a CHP spokesman for Southern California. Currently, there are only two programs targeted at particular age groups, the “55 Alive/Mature Driving” course and a mandatory program for motorcyclists under 21.

In 1969, the nationwide “55 Alive” program was created for older motorists, most of whom began driving before the advent of formal driver education.

Typical violations committed by older motorists include failure to yield the right of way, improper turning, incorrect lane changing, and trouble passing, entering and exiting expressways. These issues are among many addressed in the “55 Alive” program.

California is among 22 states that require automobile insurance companies to provide discounted rates to graduates of the “55 Alive” program. For more information about the eight-hour classroom refresher course, write to:

American Assn. of Retired Persons

“55 Alive/Mature Driving”

1909 “K” St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20049.