Speed Limit on Unposted Roads Scheduled to Rise Jan. 1

Dear Street Smart:

Now that we have had the new speed limits for a while, it is interesting to note that observed freeways speeds are exactly the same. This should put to rest the assertion that drivers are being held back by low speed limits--it appears that we drive at what seems like a safe and reasonable speed regardless. Hopefully, those portions of the San Diego (405) Freeway through Los Angeles County still posted at 55 mph will be changed soon to reflect the real-world traffic rates.

Pursuant to this, is there a new “basic” speed limit for roads where no speed is posted? If I recall, the speed limit used to be either a “safe and reasonable” speed, or 65 mph, unless otherwise posted.

This was, of course, changed during the 55-mph era. Is it now 65 again? One can go quite a distance without seeing a speed limit sign on some roads, and one wonders what the legal speed is when you see an “end of 45 zone” sign without a new speed sign.

Patrick H. Quilter

Laguna Beach

Right now, the speed limit on all roads where no speed is posted is 55 mph. But that will change on Jan. 1.

Under new federal law, the basic speed limit on those roads will increase to 65. However, Caltrans has until then to assign a lower speed limit to any of those streets.

Caltrans currently is surveying all of the state’s non-freeway roads to determine which should be have a lower limit.

Those streets, and all freeways, must have new speed limit signs by Jan. 1.

The conversion to the higher speed limits has “been a little too lengthy and awfully confusing for a lot of citizens,” said Margaret Magner, a spokeswoman for the California Highway Patrol. “It’s been [confusing] for us too.”

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Dear Street Smart:

Within the past year, my windshield has been cracked several times by flying debris on the San Diego (405) and Santa Ana (5) freeways. Some of my friends’ cars have been similarly damaged. We’ve speculated that the increased presence of sport utility vehicles with high ground clearance may contribute to this problem. Is there any truth to this? If so, what can be done to prevent further damage?

Cindy Ushiyama

Irvine

The California Highway Patrol’s Margaret Magner said the same thing happened to her.

“I was driving down a two-lane road and a large truck was passing in the opposite direction. As we went by--boom! A little tiny something hit the windshield and put a crack in it. Sometimes things just happen that are out of anyone’s control.”

The California Highway Patrol, she said, can’t prevent such accidents.

The best way to avoid one, she said, is to keep some distance between you and the car or truck ahead of you.

“There’s no way we can sweep all the debris off the freeway,” Magner said. “Maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you gives you plenty of opportunity to avoid lots of things.”

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Dear Street Smart:

In newspaper articles and on television, we are constantly hearing news about bad traffic conditions in this area. To help save this condition, are there any plans to extend the Los Angeles Metro Rail Green Line to Orange County?

Since this line already extends from LAX to Norwalk, wouldn’t bringing it over to the Santa Ana (5) Freeway, down to the Disneyland area from Norwalk, help a lot? I have heard some discussion of this, but is there any official word or plans for the pertinent government or transportation authority to do this?

Since it wouldn’t directly compete with MetroLink, I think bringing this light rail electric train out here would really help “balanced transportation” and reduce pollution. Please let me know if you have heard anything, because I was really impressed after visiting the system and liked how clean, fast and safe it was.

Frank Waters

Anaheim

Los Angeles’ Green Line is not likely to extend to Orange County in your lifetime, according to Nancy Michali, a spokeswoman for the Orange Country Transportation Authority.

Not that it hasn’t been considered.

In 1994, Michali said, OCTA surveyed 25,000 Orange County residents to develop a comprehensive plan for the county’s transportation future. And while extension of the Green Line ranked high in the respondents’ priorities, she said, it was outstripped by the proposed development of a 28-mile stretch from Fullerton to Irvine for transportation purposes. The corridor contains more than half the county’s jobs and a third of its residents.

OCTA is considering six alternatives for development of the corridor, two of which involve light rail. A decision is expected this fall.

As for your proposed extension of the Green Line?

“The funding isn’t there,” Michali said.

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 David Haldane, c/o Street Smart, The Times Orange County Edition, P.O. Box 2008, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, send faxes to (714) 966-7711 or e-mail him David.Haldane@latimes.com. Include your full name, address and day and evening phone numbers. Letters may be edited, and no anonymous letters will be accepted.