Q. Dear Honk: When traveling near the Orange Line, I am frequently distracted by camera flashes, especially at night when they can be seen from some distance. The flashes are random and occur even at vacant intersections. Is there some psychology the city of Los Angeles is trying to impose on drivers? Confused in Canoga Park.
– Gregg Mannon, Canoga Park
A. Dear Confused: You are likely seeing scofflaws kicking off Metro’s red-light cameras, meant to keep motorists from trying to beat a train or a bus, or testing that is going on. The cameras are placed around rail lines and some bus routes as well, such as the G Line, formerly known as the Orange Line.
They go off just for two reasons: Someone ran a red light, or workers are remotely testing the camera lights, said Dave Sotero, a Metro spokesman.
The light allows for a shot of the front plate and the driver’s mug. Metro’s system, independent of any similar city program, has been around since 1995.
“The base fine is $100 plus penalties and assessments, which could bring it to $490,” Sotero said. “The final amount that is set is up to the judge to decide. …
“Safety is paramount,” he added. “Metro’s system is designed to allow for the safe operation of trains and vehicles along the corridor.”
Q. It has always been my understanding that an HOV lane is NOT the fast lane, unless it is outside the designated commuting time that some HOV lanes have. Assuming I’m correct, I find it frustrating that cars will tailgate you and flash their lights in the HOV lane if you are going the speed limit, as if you are going too slow in the fast lane. Of course, drivers who do not use the true fast lane properly make me crazy, too, and I wish the California Highway Patrol would be more proactive in enforcing the “slower traffic, move right” rule. … What say you?
– Tim Johnson, Simi Valley
A. Honk says there is the law and there is courtesy, and he gets your frustration.
On a typical Southern California freeway for cars and small trucks, in regard to the law, “it’s all the same – it’s 65 all of the way across,” said Mitch Smith, a California Highway Patrol officer and spokesman in the Garden Grove headquarters.
How much over that 65-mph speed limit a driver goes before that earns a ticket is at the discretion of the officer, and so is how much below it a motorcycle, a car or a small truck could go, too, with Smith saying the general threshold for too slow is “anything that would impede traffic.”
Yes, of course, there is a courtesy most adhere to, with slower motorists heading into the lane(s) to the right.
As to tailgaters (not the friendly ones at football games), Officer Smith says when a driver has one it is more important to focus on what is ahead, ensuring you are at the proper speed and distance in case traffic locks up.
“If somebody is flashing their lights, you can absolutely move over (when it is safe and legal),” he added.
Honkin’ fact: The DMV, working to reduce the public’s need to go into one of its field offices, handled 23 million online transactions last year, the most ever. That is against the backdrop of 27,305,220 driver’s licenses issued in the state as of December 2019 (Source: state of California).
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
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October 08, 2021 at 08:18PM
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Those flashing lights at intersections are trying to save lives - San Bernardino County Sun
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