Anniversary of ‘SigAlert’ Coming Up

Dear Traffic Talk:

Where does the term “SigAlert” come from? Everyone I talk to seems to have some idea, but nobody knows for sure. I have heard everything from “Sig” meaning “signal” to the name of the person who originated the idea of a traffic alert.

Matthew Grindstaff

Canoga Park

Dear Matthew:

Sgt. Ernie Sanchez of the California Highway Patrol also thought that the “Sig” in SigAlert is an abbreviation for “signal.”

But after consulting his colleagues and supervisors, Sanchez learned that the term was named for Loyd C. Sigmon, who set up a radio hookup with police dispatchers when he was a general manager of Golden West Broadcasting in the 1950s.

The Police Department, which was in charge of monitoring the freeways at that time, used Sigmon’s device to issue traffic warnings to motorists, Sanchez said.

He said then-Police Chief William Parker decided to name the warning announcements after Sigmon, hence the name “SigAlert.”

Today, the CHP, which took over responsibility for the freeways from the Police Department in 1969, has used SigAlerts to warn motorists of unexpected traffic snarls that are expected to last at least half an hour, Sanchez said. On average, three SigAlerts are issued each weekday in Los Angeles County, he added.

The SigAlert should not be confused with a traffic advisory, which is issued when there is an expected tie-up such as a parade, Sanchez said.

According to a 1986 Times article by columnist Steve Harvey, the first SigAlert was issued on Labor Day 1955. Thus, this weekend marks the 43rd anniversary of the first SigAlert.

Happy anniversary, Sigmon.

Dear Traffic Talk:

Something needs to be done about the left-turn arrow on the corner of Laurel Canyon and Ventura boulevards in Studio City.

The arrow is green only long enough for one or two cars to make a left on Ventura going eastbound. But cars continue to make left turns even though the arrow is red. A policeman could have a field day citing the cars that turn left when the light is red.

Jeff Stanger

Studio City

Dear Jeff:

The Los Angeles Department of Transportation is looking into the timing of the signal light at the corner of Laurel Canyon and Ventura boulevards.

Sun-sun Tvedten, transportation engineering associate at LADOT, said engineers will go to the intersection to see what the signal is doing, second by second. Once the problem is verified, the signal timing will be changed to allow more cars to make the left turn at that intersection, she said.

Regarding the second part of your letter, yes, a policeman could have a field day citing cars making illegal left turns.

Tvedten said that if there’s a red arrow, motorists must stay put in the left-turn lane, even if the traffic is clear. However, where there is a signal light with a green left-turn arrow but no red arrow, the motorist may turn when he sees a regular green light and it’s safe to do so, she said.

Those with similar questions on street light timing may call the Valley office of the LADOT at (818) 756-8784.

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