What is the red light on the back of metered freeway ramps for?

Q

Alfred Velasquez of San Bernardino asked what the red light on the back side of the metered freeway ramp light is for. “I see it after entering the freeway using a metered light. Why have a red light on the backside of a metered ramp light?” he asked.

A

We ran this by Terri Kasinga, Caltrans spokeswoman, who explained, “There is a red indication on the back of the ramp meter signal that the California Highway Patrol uses to verify violators at the ramp meter.” This light allows the CHP to visually see what mode the metered light is in (red or green) when a vehicle passes through the meter light. (These lights do not read license plates or take photos.)

What does this mean to drivers? Well, potentially, if you run a red meter light on a freeway onramp and an officer happens to see this and tickets you, it would be hard to go to court and claim the meter light was green.

Q

Judith Barnum of San Bernardino has had trouble with a neighbor parking her large truck in front of Barnum’s house every day. Barnum said she has talked to the neighbor and this neighbor refuses to park the truck in front of her own house. Barnum described the truck as a “semi sleeper.” She asked what she can do to get her neighbor to park this truck on or in front of her own property.

A

Generally speaking, people don’t own the space on a public street in front of their house. If a neighbor or visitor parks their vehicle on a public street legally and it’s not blocking a driveway or a fire hydrant, and it’s not in a loading zone or otherwise restricted area, there’s not much a resident can do. Talking to the neighbor and trying to resolve it reasonably is always helpful and often solves the problem.

If the truck is a camper or some sort of large recreational or commercial vehicle, though, our reader could try reporting this truck to the police department or city for removal because many cities have ordinances against parking campers, RVS or commercial vehicles on a public residential street overnight or for more than a certain period of time, often 48 or 72 hours. We think it’s worth a try to call the local police or city hall and see what can be done.

Another way our reader could send her neighbor a hint is for our reader to park her car on the street in front of her house and occupy the space if it’s free. The neighbor would have to park the truck elsewhere and might get the message.

Do you commute to work in the Inland Empire? Spend a lot of time in your vehicle? Have questions about driving, freeways, toll roads or parking? If so, write or call On the Road and we'll try to answer your questions. Please include your question or issue, name, city of residence, phone number and email address. Write ontheroad@pe.com or call 951-368-9670.