Big rig drivers could use a little help on busy highways
QI was taught to flash my brights when the tail of a big rig had cleared my vehicle and it was then safe for the passing big rig to come into my lane. Do modern big rigs have rear cameras, lidar or radar so this practice is outmoded? Or is it still helpful?
— Norm Sleep
A Still very helpful. says Bob-the-Trucking-Man:
“Big rigs still use just mirrors for passing, although many are equipped with blind-spot monitoring similar to many new cars. This blind-spot monitoring only covers the area immediately adjacent to the side of the cab near the front wheel.
“Flashing high beams tells the truck driver that the back of his trailer is safely past the vehicle that he is passing. Since the trailer can be 65 feet behind the truck driver this can be helpful but use caution. Only flash once and make sure the truck has adequate space to maneuver in front of you.
“Truckers have used this signal for decades although I don’t see it as often these days. The passing trucker may then flash his red tail/marker lights a few times as a thank you.”
Several technology companies have designed camera systems to replace mirrors on big rigs but the federal government has not yet approved these systems for use on American highways.
Q Are the smoking vehicle hotlines like “800 CUT SMOG” or “800 EXHAUST” still active? In the past, these could be used to rat out people with grossly polluting vehicles.
— John Kelly
A They remain in use. The 800-EXHAUST number is for the Bay Area.
Q Regarding the trash on the Union Avenue ramp off Highway 85, I convinced a Caltrans worker during an annual cleanup day to let me have the vest, helmet, grabber tool and a bunch of bags. I spent the next year on the ramp picking up trash weekly. People would wave and honk and smile. Finally, Caltrans did some work on it but it’s a mess again now. Sickening.
— Bess Obercoe, San Jose
A And …
Q Roadways are noticeably cleaner when I travel to other states, so I assume they have a more targeted campaign to pick up litter and debris. Upon arriving home to San Jose Airport and taking Interstate 880 to the East Bay, the welcome mat should read “Welcome to the Bay Area, Garbage Town.”
Highway 237 is an ugly mess too, most of the time, especially the median.
— Paxton Reis
A And …
Q Do you have any idea when Berryessa Road will be restriped from King/Lundy to Commercial? It is hard to differentiate the lanes, especially at night and when it rains. — Ilene Schwartz,
San Jose
A It was restriped Monday night. Now, it’s time to eat and introduce Ollie-the Roadshow-Grandson to his first slice of pumpkin pie.