A Lack of Clear Signage Forces Drivers Onto Freeway

Dear Street Smart:

Recently when I was driving near the Auto Center in Oxnard, I noticed a problem because of a lack of clear signage.

When drivers exit the Auto Mall to Via Del Norte, there are no signs that tell them that the road turns into an entrance for the Ventura Freeway.

It seems like it would be a good idea to put a sign on Via Del Norte where it intersects with Rose Avenue to tell drivers that if they continue to go straight, they might end up going farther than they expected.

Jeff Stier, Port Hueneme

Dear Reader:

Bob Houle, traffic engineer with the state Department of Transportation, sympathizes with drivers who are unwittingly forced onto the freeway.

“I know lots of people, including my mother, who will do anything to avoid getting on the freeway,” Houle said.

But he has little patience with motorists who run into trouble on Via del Norte.

Just before the freeway entrance, Houle says, motorists have the option of turning right on Ventura Boulevard.

It is a good idea to pay close attention, Houle says, because while cars in the right lane are allowed to turn right, those in the left lane are funneled directly onto the freeway.

Houle says he will look into posting a sign at the Rose Avenue intersection informing motorists that the freeway lies ahead.

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Dear Street Smart:

There’s a busy intersection in my neighborhood that needs a four-way stop.

The corner of Northam Avenue and Adrian Street in Newbury Park is constantly busy, but there are no stop signs.

I’ve seen broken window glass on the street at that intersection, so I know there have been accidents.

The sheer courtesy of drivers in the area is the only reason there hasn’t been even more trouble.

What would it take to get a four-way stop?

Mary Wrobleski, Newbury Park

Dear Reader:

A lot of traffic or low visibility would help qualify the intersection for a four-way stop, Thousand Oaks traffic engineer John Helliwell says.

The city has not recently monitored traffic at that intersection but, based on your inquiry, Helliwell promises to investigate.

To merit stop-sign status, the intersection would either have to have a consistently high volume of traffic or be in an area where it is hard to see oncoming traffic.

If the intersection doesn’t qualify for a four-way stop, it may be eligible for the less-stringent two-way designation.

Only one of the two streets need carry a high volume of traffic to qualify for this arrangement, Helliwell says.

“If you have a minor street with far less cars, you’d want to stop the cars on the minor street without restricting flow on the major street,” Helliwell said. “We want to keep cars going, but in a safe way.”

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Dear Street Smart:

I’m concerned about careless drivers who don’t slow down at a crosswalk near an elementary school in Simi Valley.

Many parents are worried that their children may be hit while crossing Apricot Road on their way to Santa Susana School.

Even the presence of a crossing guard doesn’t seem to slow some drivers down.

Could the city install a flashing yellow light to warn drivers to slow down?

Julie Spilkey, Simi Valley

Dear Reader:

Simi Valley does not allow flashing yellow lights.

A change in policy to allow installation of such lights is a serious matter, requiring approval by the City Council, city Traffic Engineer Bill Golubics says.

The matter came up three years ago, but the council opted against allowing the lights.

There are several reasons why the flashing lights may not be such a good idea, Golubics says.

In a scenario posited by Golubics, allowing a flashing light on Apricot Street would be like opening a Pandora’s box.

If Santa Susana School got a flashing light, then the rest of the city’s more than 20 schools would want them, too.

The resulting saturation might provoke a rebellious response in drivers, who would refuse to comply with any of the flashing signals, Golubics fears.

“It would be like putting a stop sign on every corner,” he said. “Motorists would get fed up and blow right through.”

If parents are still concerned, however, Golubics suggests that they take the matter back to the City Council.