Intersection Frightens Pedestrian

Dear Traffic Talk:

Riverside Drive, Alameda and Pass avenues in Burbank need to have the police watch them more often. The drivers do not see or care about pedestrians in the crosswalk.

So intent are they in making that right turn, I’ve yet to see one stop while a pedestrian is crossing.

Recently a bicyclist and I were almost in a three-way collision with a car while crossing on Pass Avenue.

I read in Traffic Talk awhile back about a video camera installed so that a photo can help police catch and cite the errant driver. Why couldn’t they do this on these sections I’ve mentioned?

Two members of my family were hit by autos, and I don’t want to be the next casualty.

Elaine Rockstad

Burbank

Dear Elaine:

You’re right. Video cameras have been installed throughout the city to capture drivers who break the law, but there are no plans to do that at this time in the areas you have mentioned, said Lt. Duane Dow of the Burbank Police Department traffic division.

Dow, however, assures that he will deploy extra patrols to watch closely the crosswalks you have mentioned and cite drivers who do not yield to pedestrians.

“This is the first I’ve heard of this, and I will alert motor officers,” he said. “Basically, drivers must always yield to pedestrians.”

Dear Traffic Talk:

Those signals that meter traffic entering freeways sometimes have a strange behavior.

Normally, they rapidly cycle between red and green while a sign advises that only one car per green (some say two) may enter.

But at other times, the signals are on steady green. Most motorists roll right by in a continuous stream. If Caltrans does not intend to regulate traffic at certain times, I suggest they turn off the signal and also turn off the illuminated sign at the entrance to the onramp that advises metering is in effect.

Edwin G. Stauss

Woodland Hills

Dear Edwin:

The illuminated sign that advises metering is in effect remains on whenever it is monitoring the flow of traffic on the freeway.

At times the light is constantly green because the flow is good and doesn’t warrant motorists stopping before entering, said Caltrans spokesman Presley Burroughs.

Most freeway onramp meters are on from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily and few operate 24 hours a day.

“The sign and signal are always off when the meter is not operating,” Presley said.

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