Businesses Can Use Public Parking Spots

Dear Traffic Talk:

While frustrated in trying to find evening street parking near some restaurants on Ventura Boulevard, I noticed that most of it is occupied by the restaurant’s valet parking service.

It does not seem fair that our free public street parking can be used and abused by private pay-to-park valet services.

Burton Sokoloff

Tarzana

Dear Burton:

T.K. Prime, a senior transportation engineer with the city Department of Transportation, said restaurants do not have to apply for permits to use available street spaces for valet parking.

They are allowed to use the public spaces just like anyone else, he said.

Some neighborhoods, however, do try to get ordinances passed that prohibit parking during certain hours.

Parking ordinances are written and proposed by Los Angeles City Council members.

Dear Traffic Talk:

Who regulates traffic in Griffith Park? Why is there no enforcement of the 25-mph speed limit?

The cars go more than 40 mph during morning rush hour, with only a painted line between them and the joggers and skaters, creating a dangerous situation.

Randy Ruger

North Hollywood

Dear Randy:

Hector Hernandez, director of park rangers for the city of Los Angeles, said while there is no one unit specifically dedicated to regulating traffic, park rangers do have the authority to issue tickets.

Griffith Park is patrolled by a combination of three law enforcement agencies.

Park rangers, the Los Angeles Police Department and, on roads near the Golden State and Ventura freeways, the California Highway Patrol.

Most speeding problems occur on Forest Lawn and Zoo drives, roads often used as shortcuts from the freeway, Hernandez said.

Most traffic problems are handled by the LAPD’s Traffic Division, which comes into the park as part of its patrols, but especially when alerted to a number of complaints.

Call (213) 913-4688, the park ranger’s information line, to register a complaint about traffic in the park. Or write to Director Hector Hernandez, 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles 90027.

Dear Traffic Talk:

At an intersection, facing a red left arrow and a green light and no other signs--such as “Left turn on green arrow only”--is it legal to turn left? I thought not, but to my mild surprise, the State of California Vehicle Code, as of the 1996 edition, seems to allow the left turn. What do you think?

Ivan Keithley

Sherman Oaks

Dear Ivan:

No turns allowed, according to Officer Lee Thomas of the Los Angeles Police Department Valley Traffic Division.

Turns may not be made against red arrows: It would be the same as running a red light, Thomas said.

The driver must wait until the signal indicates that it is all right to turn left.

A green light with a red arrow means it is safe to drive straight ahead, but not to make a left turn.

Traffic Talk appears Fridays in The Times Valley Edition. Readers may submit comments and questions about traffic in the Valley to Traffic Talk, Los Angeles Times, 20000 Prairie St., Chatsworth 91311. Include your name, address and phone number. Letters may be edited, and no anonymous letters will be accepted. To record your comments, call (818) 772-3303. Fax letters to (818) 772-3385. E-mail questions to valley@latimes.com.