Be aware that some Bay Area cities have red-light cameras
Q
There is talk of testing speed cameras in a five-year pilot program in San Jose and San Francisco. But didn’t we have speed cameras in the past that would issue tickets?
—Jim L.
A
Campbell and San Jose tried that but ended their programs after revenues didn’t cover the costs. However, Campbell became a town where drivers slowed, fearing they might get a ticket. That happened to Mrs. Roadshow as she zipped down Hamilton Avenue one morning, and was she miffed. It didn’t help that Campbell police sent me a copy of the ticket, which I framed, gift-wrapped, and placed under the Christmas tree. She later fired it into the trash, much to my dismay.
Several cities, like Fremont and San Francisco, use cameras to catch redlight runners.
Q
Oh, Great Prophet of the Roads. I received a notice saying that Scott Boulevard, Newhall Street and Homestead Road in Santa Clara will be getting major roadwork. At first, I was jumping with joy to see these roads getting a well-needed facelift. But then that joy turned into fear when I also heard that it will include pavement striping, markers, etc.
Please don’t tell me that this will become another road diet with one lane, and/or the removal of street parking.
— Daniel Chapman,
Santa Clara
A
Rest easy. The city will be repaving Homestead (Kiely Boulevard to Lincoln Street) and Scott Boulevard/ Newhall Street (Harrison Street to Winchester Boulevard). After paving is complete, roadway striping will be completed with existing vehicle lanes, bicycle lanes and crosswalks being restriped.
Q
There are signs on Interstate 280 saying: Caution, High Power Lines Above.
Aren’t there maximum heights for tall trucks to clear bridges? I would guess the lines are above that height on I-280 because the signs are placed directly under the lines so that if a tall truck was on the highway, it would not be able to stop in time.
Maybe it’s for all of us who are driving flying cars so that we don’t attempt to take off on those sections of the highway. It’s causing some commuters to worry that these lines might drop onto the road in front of them.
— Ed King, Sunnyvale
A
Fear not. PG&E is replacing the overhead wires, and the signs are warnings if dropped lines sag.
Q
I call those fob sounds “Alarm Farts” because they’re short bursts that are satisfying to those responsible for making them and annoying as hell to others nearby.
—John Buck
A
That they can be.
Join Gary Richards for an hourlong chat noon Wednesday at mercurynews.com/live-chats. Look for Gary at Facebook.com/mr.roadshow or contact him at mrroadshow@bayareanewsgroup.com or 408-920-5335.