City Hopes Tampa Work Smooths Flow

Dear Traffic Talk:

Does the Los Angeles Department of Transportation have any plans to install a left-turn signal for southbound traffic on Tampa Avenue at Business Center Drive?

This is an entrance into the Price Club Plaza.

Until the left-turn situation there is improved, the frustrated motorists who take shortcuts to avoid this busy intersection will continue to place themselves and others at risk.

Hal Bass

Northridge

Dear Hal:

Engineers from the city’s Department of Transportation recently performed some work at that location meant to improve access to the shopping center.

For now, the agency says it will wait to see if the improvement works before ordering a left-turn arrow or other changes, said Ray Wellbaum, an engineer with the department.

In mid-December, Wellbaum said, engineers redesigned line markings in front of a driveway into the shopping center that previously was accessible to northbound traffic, thus permitting entry for southbound vehicles as well.

Beyond that, southbound motorists turning left at the intersection are presently taking advantage of the light’s cycles and other traffic patterns that create gaps in the northbound flow.

Vehicles that now enter the shopping plaza at the first driveway are using the same gaps in northbound flow created by traffic patterns.

The driveway is particularly useful when left-turn traffic backs up to that point, Wellbaum said.

Dear Traffic Talk:

I have noticed people all over the state driving in the fast lanes of freeways who don’t move to the right when they are approached from the rear by other vehicles.

I’m under the impression that the laws addressing this issue were strengthened in 1997. However, I don’t see California Highway Patrol officers doing enough to catch violators.

Bill Schellenberg

Sherman Oaks

Dear Bill:

Generally, the CHP has high interest in reducing speeds and enforcing safe driving practices, according to the agency. Consequently, officers do consider it a high priority to cite motorists who are driving too slowly in the fast lane and who may cause accidents. However, motorists driving at the speed limit in the fast lane are not required by law to move right when approached by other traffic from the rear, said Rhett Price, a CHP spokesman.

Those who are approached from behind and are not driving at the speed limit or keeping up with the flow of traffic within posted limits are required to yield.

A stronger law--designed to force slow-moving traffic in the fast lane to move right when a following vehicle flashes its lights--was indeed passed in 1997. But it has not been implemented, according to Price.

But before the law takes effect, Price said, it needs to be reconciled with another law that prohibits use of high beams within 500 feet of other vehicles.

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