New signal helps pedestrians at Hwy. 92 exit to El Camino Real

QI recently got off Highway 92 going east to El Camino Real and noticed some illuminated no right turn signs. I wasn’t sure if I could make the right on red despite the sign not being lit up. So can I make a right on red? — Mahdee Shehadeh, San Mateo

AThis is a new tactic to control traffic. The light is a called blankout sign that can be ignored when it is unlit. Traffic here is very busy, making a lot drivers impatient; many of them might zip around a right turn without taking an adequate look for pedestrians. When a pedestrian pushes the button, the sign lights up indicating no right turns.

So, no right turn when the sign is lit. It means a pedestrian is crossing. No turning right on red until the light turns off.

QI have played dodgeball with deer on Highway 17 more than once and on occasion the deer was the loser because swerving into another lane to avoid the deer at 50 mph putting other drivers at risk wasn’t a good idea. By all means avoid hitting wildlife, but when it puts other drivers at risk, just bite the bullet and take one for the team. — M.M.

AHitting a deer is a frightening experience. Adhere to the 50 mph speed limit and be on high alert, especially around Laurel Curve. And if you spot one deer, others are likely nearby.

QDuring a recent power outage in Saratoga, I saw some traffic conditions I had not seen before. At several intersections, the traffic lights were flashing as expected and traffic was treating the situation properly as a fourway stop.

However, for some reason at several other intersections the traffic lights were dark and not flashing. Quite a few drivers plowed on through — not even slowing — as if there were no signals.

Shouldn’t these intersections be considered the same as a four-way stop? Some of the drivers who did not stop were creating a possibly dangerous situation. — Jack Chewning, Saratoga

AYes, they should have. When signals are out, treat the intersection as a fourway stop. Battery backups should allow the red lights to flash for a couple of hours after power goes off and crews will have all of its battery backups checked.

QI want to thank Caltrans for sweeping Highway 87. What a difference! I always felt badly that visitors flying into San Jose would witness the trash on 87, and instead of looking like the capital of Silicon Valley, it looks more like a Third World country. — J. Sayler

ANot these days, at least on 87.

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