Good news for Bay Area roundabout fans
Q
Are any more roundabouts being considered? I think they are a wonderful way to improve traffic flow.
— Fred Lock, San Jose
A
Yes. Next week construction of a roundabout at the intersection of State Routes 25 and 156 west of Hollister will begin. The project is scheduled to be completed in April 2023. Two big roundabouts are now under construction on Interstate 80 in Emeryville.
Q
I enjoy riding my bicycle in several cities. I would like to report traffic lights that are not changing for cyclists. I stand on the spot painted for bicyclists to trip the light, but the light never changes. This has put me in some unsafe situations.
Is there one central location I can report these problems, or do I have to contact each city separately?
— Ann Davis, Sunnyvale
A
The answer is not what you hoped. You need to contact each city or agency separately.
Q
I read the comment about the $400 payment to registered car owners not going to cars with expired tags. My tags were expired all of last year, although I had paid in full. I contacted the DMV a total of 10 times, including twice in person at DMV offices. While they would admit I had paid, I had somehow paid in the wrong year (according to them).
After exhausting every avenue, I tried right from the beginning to get a refund. No go on that front, either. So do I get $800 for this car?
— Matthew Bartlett,
San Jose
A Keep trying. You should not have to pay extra, or miss out on the $400 payment per car, after your many good faith efforts to keep your registration current.
Q As part of my commute, I drive east on Hamilton Avenue from Meridian Avenue to take a right onto Almarida Drive, just beyond the
Highway 17 overpass.
After crossing the overpass, I have to get into the right lane. To do so, I contend with both southbound 17 traffic taking the off-ramp to Hamilton and also, cars coming into that lane.
The cars coming into the lane have a yield sign, but I am not sure who has the right of way. I think I do, since I am on the through road and they are entering it. Who has the right of way and what is the relevant motor vehicle code reference?
— Nino, San Jose
A According to the Campbell Police, CVC 21658(a) applies.
The essence of it is that traffic already in the far right lane has the right of way. In the circumstance you describe, you must yield the right of way to traffic already in that lane. The only yield sign is the regulatory “Turning Traffic Must Yield to Pedestrians” sign.