Why is there no traffic on Highway 85 on some nights?

QI work in Los Altos. Every Tuesday night I have a meeting in Los Gatos. For the past few weeks when I get on Highway 85, there is no traffic. Why? Not that I am complaining. — Tim McCarter, San Jose

AOh, your comments are worse than a baseball player telling a pitcher that he is throwing a no-hitter. You have just jinxed the Highway 85 commute.

Here are a few reasons. Many schools have been on spring or Easter break over the last several weeks and the change in time means increased daylight and that reduces crashes and helps keep traffic moving.

QWhy is it that San Jose police do not stop carpool violators?

It seems to me that if they were allowed to do so within the city limits, it could remedy much of the problem. — Lynn Dyche, San Jose

AOh, but they do on some expressways. But they won’t be on the

freeway watching for cheaters even though they can do so. Just too busy with everyday calls.

Some think city police cannot make freeway stops, which shocked a speeder a few years ago who taunted and laughed at a San Jose cop on Interstate 280 as he blew past him at around 80 mph. A mile down the road, the speeder wasn’t laughing.

QI was on El Camino Real to turn onto Highway 85. However, the turn onto 85 was narrow and difficult to maneuver. Is there anything in the works to improve this?

AYes. Changes will be made at some future point. It’s on the list of improvements to be paid for by Santa Clara County’s new transportation tax.

QDo you know what a horizontal red traffic signal indicates? I’ve seen some downtown, generally by light rail. — Brian Schutz

AThe horizontal bar signal is an indication

for trolley operators to stop prior to the crosswalk or limit line. Bar signals are found in areas where light rail vehicles cross streets with traffic or pedestrian crossings not protected by crossing arms, like at most street intersections.

QSan Tomas and Lawrence expressways have “part-time HOV” carpool lanes. There are black-and-white signs posted with hours of operations during weekdays. But there is also an amber light next to those signs. This light can sometimes be off during commute hours. If the light is off, do carpool regulations still apply?

It seems to me that when the light is off it supersedes the regulatory sign and would allow solo drivers to use that lane, but I do not want to find out the hard way. — Denis Kornilov, San Jose

AGood that you asked, Carpool rules apply even if the light is not working.