Signs of Confusion Over Speed Limits on California 118

Dear Street Smart:

I have a question about speed limits on southeast-bound California 118 through Saticoy.

Just past the Santa Paula Freeway, there is a “Speed Limit 35” sign posted.

There are no other speed signs posted until after Vineyard Avenue, where a sign says, “End 50 Speed Limit.”

Where does the mysterious 50-m.p.h. speed limit begin, and why is there no sign to indicate this?

David S. Weinstein, Moorpark

Dear Reader:

The state Department of Transportation is aware of the confusing sign situation, and it is only temporary, traffic engineer Luu Nguyen said.

Several signs were removed during the recent rerouting and repaving of the roadway. Now that the road is completed, Caltrans must re-evaluate the traffic flow before installing new signs, he said.

“The speed limit could very well change, depending on the flow and speed of traffic,” he said.

In the meantime, he notes, temporary signs may be installed to avoid further confusion.

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Dear Street Smart:

In reference to the fatal accident last month on Erringer Road in Simi Valley, I would like to make a suggestion.

On Erringer, there are four lanes of traffic that must be crossed to continue on the bike path or to get to the community park.

In May, a junior high boy named Travis Peterson rode his bike into the crosswalk to get to the park. With three cars stopped, one car in the fourth lane did not stop, and he was struck and killed.

My daughter crosses Erringer at that crosswalk every day to go to school. She tells me how many times she is almost hit because cars won’t stop.

I believe the majority of drivers are careful if they have a “wake-up call.” A stoplight or even flashing lights are expensive, but there is such a light at a crossing that leads to a much smaller park between Erringer and Sycamore Drive.

Would it be possible to at least put in a series of bumps or raised dots before the crosswalk to caution drivers to be alert? That couldn’t cost very much!

I would be willing to help with the cost of the bumps, and I’m sure others would, too. Something needs to be done at this crosswalk. I appreciate anything you can do.

Eunice Harring, Simi Valley

Dear Reader:

You are not the only one concerned about the crosswalk on Erringer.

Last week, the Simi Valley City Council agreed to install a traffic signal at that location and at two other mid-block crosswalks in town.

The city has not set aside any funding for the signals, which cost about $40,000 each. So it may be a while before they are installed.

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Dear Street Smart:

As a resident of Wood Ranch in Simi Valley, I have a simple traffic question that affects our community.

When turning left into Wood Ranch from Madera Road, drivers must wait in the left-turn lane until a green arrow appears.

At other intersections around the city, I have noticed that cars are allowed to turn left not only on the green arrow, but also when there is a regular green light, as long as there is no traffic coming.

This seems to help keep the traffic moving along, especially during rush hour.

Could this type of light work at Wood Ranch?

Albert Lawrence, Simi Valley

Dear Reader:

The short answer is yes.

As part of an ongoing citywide program, the four stoplights on Madera leading into Wood Ranch will be converted to “protective-permissive” operation in July, traffic engineer Bill Golubics said.

This means that cars will be allowed to turn left not only on the green arrow but also on the regular green light.