Disabilities Act Only Applies to New Sidewalks

Dear Traffic Talk:

In traveling around the north Valley I have noticed many, many intersections that still have vertical curbs.

I thought there was federal legislation that required these curbs to be cut through and replaced by wheelchair ramps by the end of 1995.

Clearly someone has missed a deadline. Whose responsibility is this? When will these ramps be built?

Herbert Rosenbloom

North Hills

Dear Herbert:

Since the passage of the 1990 Americans With Disabilities Act, any new construction that involves sidewalks must include curbs that are wheelchair accessible, said Lionel Citizen, general superintendent for the Bureau of Street Services.

The bureau does not go back and change older sidewalks unless the sidewalk is in disrepair or if the sidewalk is involved in some other construction, such as sewer maintenance, where the existing concrete is removed and then replaced, he said. There also are limited funds available.

The 1990 act mainly covered providing access to public transportation, workplaces, public accommodations and telephone services.

Employers were required to make structural barriers such as stairs and narrow doorways more accessible if “readily achievable” and if it did not cause “undo hardship” on the business.

If property owners want to make their sidewalks wheelchair accessible, they may do so after obtaining the proper permit from the Bureau of Engineering, Sidewalks Division.

For more information, call the Los Angeles Bureau of Engineering at (818) 756-8507.

People can also make a request with the Bureau of Street Services, Resurfacing and Special Projects division at (800) 966-CITY.

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Dear Traffic Talk:

It seems to me that people are confused about how to handle the right of way in uncontrolled intersections.

In the times I have had to stop at intersections without traffic lights, some drivers seem to be confused as to who has the right of way.

What are the rules?

Ed Llamado

Glendale

Dear Ed:

Generally at an uncontrolled intersection in a residential neighborhood, when negotiating a left turn, drivers must stop and allow other vehicles to pass, Officer Manuel Garza said.

The failure of cars to yield when turning left is often the cause of the most severe accidents.

Garza said accidents involving left turns tend to have more injuries than any other accident because the vehicle is hit broadside.

There are more neck and back injuries caused during these accidents and more passengers are injured than in rear-collision accidents.

When making a right turn, Garza said, the driver must yield until it is reasonably safe to complete the turn.

And at intersections that are four-way stops where two vehicles arrive at the same time, the car on the right will usually go first.

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