Failure to Signal Sends Rude Signal

Dear Traffic Talk:

It seems that fewer people are using their turn signals, which can cause accidents. I even saw one driver change lanes without signaling in front of a California Highway Patrol officer and was not cited. Apparently they are not enforcing this, but I see it as common courtesy.

--Bob Martinez

Glendale

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Dear Bob:

Drivers who aren’t using their turn signals aren’t only rude, but they’re breaking the law, said Officer Lou Aviles, a spokesman for the CHP.

“The law states you must use a signal when your actions are going to affect another vehicle,” Aviles said.

And the CHP does enforce this law. In 1998, the CHP in Los Angeles County issued 6,362 citations for unsafe lane changes and 1,063 citations for unsafe turning movements, simply because the drivers failed to turn on their signals.

“It probably could be enforced a little more aggressively, but we simply do not have the resources,” Aviles said.

Officers usually look for more dangerous violations, such as speeders and drunk drivers.

“These things tend to have a greater potential for causing an accident than does someone who has failed to use their signal,” Aviles said. “But, we could all be more courteous drivers and use our signals.”

Dear Traffic Talk:

Recently, a three-way traffic light was installed on Maclay Street and Foothill Boulevard. The eastbound and westbound lights crossing Foothill are timed so that only three cars can get through on a green.

The westbound lanes have a green arrow that’s triggered at the same time as the forward green. Eastbound drivers have a right turn green arrow, but no left-turn arrow.

This is unnecessary, since a right turn on red is legal. People who are unfamiliar with this light sit and wait for a left arrow, which never comes. I have had to wait for a second green light more than once because of this.

Maclay Street is an onramp for the 210 Freeway, and at times the traffic is very heavy. I believe this should be studied and a little more time given for both directions. Could a green left-turn arrow be activated for the eastbound traffic?

--Lenore Lauer

Sylmar

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Dear Lenore:

More time is given to westbound drivers along Maclay Street to accommodate the heavy traffic coming off the freeway, said Brian Gallagher, a traffic light engineer for the Los Angeles Department of Transportation. Most of these drivers usually turn left onto Foothill Boulevard.

Motorists traveling east on Maclay do not get a left arrow because those drivers must still yield to pedestrians in the north crosswalk, Gallagher said.

The “three-way signal” signs are meant to inform drivers that their signals do not turn green at the same time as the signals for the opposite direction, he said.

“Drivers who don’t understand this sign can always complete their left turns during the yellow light,” Gallagher said.

Dear Traffic Talk:

When I drive to work, I get off the northbound Ventura Freeway at the Las Virgenes exit.

There is a sign at the bottom of the offramp that shows the permissible turns from the offramp. According to the sign, the left lane may only turn left, the right lane may only turn right, and the center lane may turn left or go straight.

This is perfectly sensible, reasonable and straightforward, except for the fact that there are only two lanes.

Can you tell me when Caltrans is expected to add the third lane in order to make the sign correct?

--Steven Fordham

Canyon Country

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Dear Steven:

It looks like Caltrans flubbed that one. New, correct signs are on order and should be installed in about three months, said Presley Burroughs, a Caltrans spokesman.