Some radio traffic reports can be confusing to drivers
QWhy the new trend for radio stations to report freeway backups in terms of city streets not known to the average commuter, as opposed to actual freeway street exits? Examples:
Accident backup on Highway 85 is up to Meridian, or Snell. And another day there was an accident on southbound 101 in the 8-mile stretch from Highway 85 to Cochrane. Only two exits exist, close to the 85 end, being Bailey and the golf course exit. After that, the only off-ramp is Cochrane.
The accident was about 1/4 mile from Cochrane, and the traffic reporter told us the backup was up to Burnett. Where the heck is Burnett? How are commuters supposed to know where these arbitrary streets are that have no name indicators on the freeway? — Robin Slusher
AJoe-the-KQ ED-Guy says it has become a practice for some traffic reporters to use obscure location references.
“If you hear strange references, it’s probably an inexperienced reporter relying on a location that comes up in the CHP dispatch computer, which can sometimes be adjacent side roads,” he said.
Some stations now use out-ofmarket-based services and reporters. If an announcer has a CHP screen update while they’re yakking, they may read what’s in front of them — south 101 and Burnett. If they know the area well enough they’ll say a bit north of Cochrane, if not they’ll say Burnett.
Siri, we need you.
QAt the Shoreline Boulevard exit from Highway 101 south in Mountain View, there are cars entering the freeway who won’t wait for anyone to exit. Shouldn’t cars entering the freeway yield to cars exiting? — Winnie Jensen
ANot necessarily. This is a merging situation, which means sharing the road. Stopping on the ramp can be dangerous.
QMy 78-year-old aunt renewed her driver’s license as a Real ID driver’s license in March. Her renewal date is in 2023. My 77-year-old mom renewed her California driver’s license as a Real ID in June. Yet her renewal date is in 2022 — only four years. Is this an error? Does she need another appointment? The last visit took almost three hours and that was with an appointment at the Santa Teresa DMV. — Charlotte Miller, Campbell
AAn early renewal does affect the term of the license. If you renew six or more months ahead of the expiration date on your license, this will result in a different expiration date. A driver license will expire on the fifth birthday following the application date.
Also, a senior identification card is available to folks 62 or older free of charge and valid for up to eight years.