Motorists say blinking yellow turn lights a very bright idea

Q

I just got back from Dallas, where yellow blinking left arrows are customary and a boon to easing traffic flow.

Let’s just do it here! … I was in Utah, and they use a pretty neat system that reduces wait time at intersections: a yellow left arrow to go ahead and turn if safe to do so. …

I am often appalled at how there is so much concern about CO2, but end up at intersections in the Bay Area where dozens of cars are idling and no one is moving because of the lights.

— Judie Hockel, Dave Zittin and others

A

Slowly we are adding more intersections with left turn yellow arrows. San Jose, Oakland and Fremont are among cities gradually making this change.

Q

Regarding your article about trucks spewing trash along the freeway on Interstate 680, I have firsthand knowledge, having driven for Republic Services for two years hauling trash to the landfill off of Bailey Road on Highway 4.

Their policy is that drivers are responsible for keeping tarps free of tears, rips, holes, etc.

Most drivers just don’t care. And neither does management.

I was constantly trying to keep my tarps in good repair, but they just handed me zip ties and said “here.”

The CHP would write so many tickets that they threatened drivers with personal tickets because they got tired of issuing tickets and getting nowhere.

Management’s attitude was, they were tired of constant complaints via phone, and wish they would take the name and numbers off the trucks so people would would stop calling.

I also worked as a transfer driver for Garaventa, hauling trash from the Loveridge transfer station to the same landfill.

Trailers written up for damaged tarps were pulled out of service until they were properly patched. And they encouraged drivers to make sure the tarps were in good shape before they were taken out.

— Jan Brandt, Antioch

A

There’s a glimmer of hope if drivers are careful in trying to prevent loads from spilling, as you are, and when management of these companies hold drivers accountable.

Q

I had an accident with my Mustang in the early 2000s.

When it got repaired, the repair place didn’t put the front bracket on.

So I let it ride, and did not put a bracket or plate on mine.

Now 20 odd years later, I’ve never been stopped for not having my front license plate on.

A

Whoa, can anyone top that?

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