Left-Turn Help May Right Things

Dear Traffic Talk:

Can a left-turn signal be installed at the intersection of Sunland Boulevard and Fenwick Street in Sunland? This intersection has frequent collisions involving drivers making left turns. Motorists traveling at high speed and the slight hill on the east side of the intersection are causes of these crashes.

Although Fenwick seems a quiet side street, it serves the western section of Sunland and acts as a route to westbound Foothill Boulevard.

--Katherine Harris

Sunland

Dear Katherine:

A left-turn signal has been approved for this four-way intersection, said Irwin Chodash, East Valley district engineer with the city Department of Transportation.

The left-turn arrow will allow eastbound Sunland drivers to turn left onto Fenwick, he said. It will be a protective turn arrow, meaning drivers may turn only during the arrow.

Dear Traffic Talk:

Why do I continually get passed by large trucks doing 65 to 70 mph when I drive the Golden State Freeway during my commute from Burbank to downtown Los Angeles at 60 to 65 mph in the slow lane? I thought the speed limit for trucks was 55 mph. Doesn’t the California Highway Patrol enforce the speed limit anymore?

--Fred Barker

Burbank

Dear Fred:

The speed limit for tractor-trailers is still 55 mph. You should call the CHP hotline at (888) 424-7211, and the complaint will be forwarded to an area office for investigation, CHP Officer Lou Aviles said.

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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. Fax letters to (818) 772-3385. E-mail questions to valley.news@latimes.com.