Left-Turn Arrow Not Unnecessary

Dear Traffic Talk:

Traffic going north on Lindley Avenue cannot make a left turn onto Oxnard Street without getting the OK from a left-turn green arrow.

This is a big joke since there is never a single automobile, at any time of any day or night, that would be unable to make that turn easily and quickly without that arrow.

Not only is the arrow unnecessary, but it actually impedes northbound drivers desiring to make a left turn, who often have to sit and wait for the red arrow to turn green.

If the traffic department claims that the arrow is justified, then I hereby challenge them to send a representative to that intersection for another look.

Mike Wiener, Encino

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Dear Mike:

Left-turn signals are sometimes installed when there are visibility or geometric conditions that make the turn much more difficult than drivers may realize.

Such is the case at the above intersection, says Brian Gallagher, Los Angeles Department of Transportation engineer.

“At Lindley Avenue and Oxnard Street, there is a slight crest on Lindley north of the intersection--by the railroad tracks--which limits the visibility between motorists making a northbound left turn and drivers traveling southbound to much less than the minimum visibility distance of 308 feet needed to turn left across two lanes with a 35-mph speed of oncoming traffic,” he said.

Before the left-turn arrow was installed, there was a pattern of accidents, Gallagher said, because drivers thought that they had time to turn when in fact they didn’t.

“Before they could complete their left turn, a vehicle traveling at the speed limit could come over the crest and not have enough time to stop, resulting in a collision,” he said.

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Dear Traffic Talk:

Every morning, I diligently stop for the red onramp light at the Branford [Street] onramp to the 5 Freeway. Unfortunately, I seem to be the only one who abides by the meter onramp.

This freeway entrance has a very long onramp that passes over the 170 Freeway. Highway Patrol could easily catch single drivers in the carpool lane because there is an area widening that permits their vehicle to park on the onramp and observe violators.

Who can I contact to increase enforcement?

Lee Dollins, Northridge

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Dear Lee:

The California Highway Patrol doesn’t have the resources to monitor every carpool lane or freeway onramp, so the CHP often relies on tips.

CHP Sgt. Ernie Sanchez says you can call the Highway Patrol directly and report areas with a heavy rate of violations.

“We will send an officer to that specific location,” he said.

The number is (818) 240-8200.

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