Q. Can you help educate the driving public regarding red lights, crosswalks and pedestrian rights? I consistently observe other drivers who intentionally stop on the crosswalk at a red light and continually inch forward thinking that helps change the light faster. The crosswalk is meant to be a safe zone. This blocks the crosswalk and makes it difficult and sometimes dangerous for pedestrians. I think it is rude, inconsiderate and dangerous. What can be done to educate the driving public about this absurd practice going forward?
– Julian Mayer, Tarzana
A. Writing to Honk, Julian, was a good way to go.
“Crossing the limit line will not make a light change faster and puts pedestrians and other road users at risk,” Colin Sweeney, a spokesman for the Los Angeles Department of Transportation, told Honk in an email.
The sensors, or “loops,” are easy to spot — they appear as somewhat-crude black circles in the asphalt. In Los Angeles, they are before the limit line and five feet in front of the crosswalk.
The loops help the traffic system know vehicles are there by sensing metal and, when appropriate, change a red to a green sooner.
Look, people, if you went to college, who were the smartest students on campus? Sure, sure, those preparing to be lawyers and doctors tend to be rather bright, but Honk is going with those in engineering school.
And brainy traffic engineers aren’t going to put sensors right up against an area where people are supposed to walk.
Further, some traffic signals don’t even have loops. The lights’ patterns are pre-determined.
Fun fact: Some loops in L.A. have a diagonal line through them on the asphalt — indicating they include a sensor to detect bicycles. LA’s bike device was designed by an engineer in the Los Angeles Department of Transportation.
Q. Honk: My company bought me a 2017 Ford Transit Connect to drive for work. I arranged the purchase and was issued California temporary plates. Those plates expire next week and I have not yet received the regular plates. Is there any way to check on those plates? I can’t believe I would be penalized for driving with the expired plates if I have no way to replace them. Although, this is California.
– Michael Maricle, Long Beach
A. A spokesman for the Department of Motor Vehicles, Ronald Ongtoaboc, said the standard plates should arrive four to six weeks after the information was submitted. He suggested you check with your employer to see if the plates went there.
Otherwise, you can call the DMV’s customer service line at 800-777-0133 and ask about the plates’ status. That phone line is typically available 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays.
HONKIN’ FACT: Yes, yes, the Dodgers are thumping Honk’s beloved San Francisco Giants this year. But don’t think his team isn’t special: A parking stall one block from Oracle Park, where the men in orange and black play, is on the block for $90,000. USA Today says the spot is open to non-residents of the condo complex where it sits. Maybe there is another reason besides hitting a ball game to fork over that kind of cash for a parking spot. To Honk, seems foolish either way. The real estate agent told USA Today that so far people have offered half the asking price.
To ask Honk questions, reach him at honk@ocregister.com. He only answers those that are published. To see Honk online: ocregister.com/tag/honk. Twitter: @OCRegisterHonk
Source: Orange County Register
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