DMV hopes to expedite wait times with new opening hours

Q I read with interest how fast lines move at the Senter Road office, where they limit transactions to renewing one’s license and REAL ID. Can the DMV open more offices like this? — Phil Lee, San Jose A At this time, the DMV does not anticipate opening any additional driver license processing centers. There are just three in the state, but more would certainly be welcomed. However, 69 offices now open at 7 a.m., except Wednesday, and 62 offices are open on Saturday. Go to dmv.ca.gov for a list.

Q

Watching cars speed through yellow and red lights to avoid waiting for the next cycle, I’ve developed a hypothesis. What if the cycles were shorter? Perhaps people speed through a changing light because they have to wait so long if they miss it.

On busy streets, sometimes the wait is several minutes. I’d be much less likely to slip through if I knew I’d only have to wait 15 or 20 seconds for the next green light.

What do you think? If you agree with me, I authorize you to get it changed.

— Beth Erickson, Sunnyvale

A

My traffic consultants say substantially shorter light cycles could lead to more redlight running.

Q

I am a railroad consultant familiar with the finances of commuter rails. California HighSpeed Rail is a dream of former Gov. Jerry Brown. You and I will never, ever see it running between Gilroy and San Francisco in our lifetime. Period.

— Prakash Tendulkar A

I fear you may be right. Q

I read with considerable interest the questions about high-speed rail in your column the other day. I don’t know the answer to the many issues raised. However, I do know that attitudes such as “I would rather drive or take an airplane” and “Just think of the improvements that this money could have made to Interstate

5 or Highway 99” are the epitome of unsustainable thinking. Whatever is ultimately done, we will want to reduce, not increase, carbon per person mile.

— Bill Hilton, Sunnyvale A Reducing our carbon footprint is a leading goal. Q Our street, Plummer Avenue in San Jose, is in the process of being repaved. Yahoo! It is in need of the work.

However, the contractors are installing handicap access at the corners of the sidewalks. No problem there. The problem is that they are tearing out the existing access ramps to replace them with new ramps. They have done so with a dozen or more existing ramps on our street.

Is this happening citywide? Seems like a huge waste of money to me.

— Randy Blair,

San Jose A It’s happening mostly on streets that are being repaved. The new ramps are less slippery and are safer for the disabled and other pedestrians.