Security options for motorists can making parking safer

QDrivers who leave their driver’s license at home rather than taking a chance of losing it at the gym or keeping it in their car should purchase a Witz Sport Case.

It is a plastic waterproof case on a string designed for surfers and comes in several sizes. I use mine all the time, keeping it on my person while out walking and cycling in case of an accident. — Pam Putman, Sunnyvale

AA good and needed tip. Auto break-ins have increased 14% in San Jose since 2018.

The city will get $750,000 from the state to increase coordination among law enforcement agencies in tackling the rise in car break-ins. This will cover surveillance, community education and outreach to businesses in high-traffic areas where these crimes are common.

But drivers need to do what they can to discourage thieves:

• If you leave a smartphone, laptop or tablet device that emits a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi signal in your car, lock it in the

trunk and put it in airplane mode so would-be thieves can’t target you using your own devices.

• Park near people and light. Preventing a car break-in can be as simple as parking near a lamppost in busy areas.

• Always keep your doors locked and windows rolled up. Doublecheck that you locked your doors before leaving your car in a parking lot; car thieves are most attracted to vehicles with easy access.

• Consider installing a security system or alarm to your vehicle.

• Remember to hide any shopping bags, purses, electronics, cash and jewelry and move large items to the trunk.

QTraveling east on Trade Zone Boulevard, traffic stacks up in the right lane to make the turn onto North Capitol Avenue to get to Interstate 680 in San Jose. I’ve seen many impatient drivers making the left lane into a second rightturn lane.

Is there any way the city might consider making that lane a straightor-turn lane? It would ease some of the congestion

and might make it safer. — Karen Norton, San Jose

AAdding a through/ right lane would create what’s called a “dualthreat” for pedestrians using the crosswalk there. Essentially, having two lanes turning across pedestrian traffic limits visibility and increases the opportunity for conflict.

The only way to avoid the dual threat would be a very costly upgrade to the traffic signal to give pedestrians and rightturning traffic their own phases. It also would require a “no right turn on red,” which could have its own impacts to traffic.

But the city will look into the signal timing at that intersection and nearby Capitol Avenue and Minuet Drive to see if it can make adjustments to improve traffic flow.

Join Gary Richards for an hourlong chat at noon Wednesday at www.mercurynews. com/live-chats. Look for Gary at Facebook.com/ mr.roadshow; contact him at mrroadshow@ bayareanewsgroup.com or 408-920-5335.