Caltrans’ new warning signs help keep pedestrians safer
QI have noticed in the last week during which I have done a lot of driving that freeways all over the state have electronic signs telling you to “Watch for people walking on all roadways.” What has prompted this? Is there some new problem they are trying to solve? — Gaby Odell, Alamo
A An old problem that is getting worse.
Q Is Caltrans scraping the bottom of the barrel for their new road signs about watching out for people on all roads? Kind of insulting. — Pam Mallory, San Jose
AActually, this warning is needed and I applaud the state for posting these first-of-its-kind messages. Here’s why:
Pedestrian deaths in California are 70 percent higher than the national average and account for 25 percent of all traffic fatalities in the state and is reaching new record highs. In 2015, 813 pedestrians were killed on California roads and more than 12,000 injured.
The messages are a reminder, primarily for streets, but for highways as well, since more than 20 percent of pedestrian fatalities occur on highways.
QYou mentioned the Dumbarton Bridge makeover, but how can I contact these people? — Lynne Mercer
ASamTrans will hold a public meeting on the Dumbarton Corridor Study 6:30 p.m. today at the Mark Green Sports Center, 31224 Union City Blvd., in Union City. You can also contact Melissa Reggiardo at reggiardom@samtrans.com or by mail at San Mateo County Transit District, P.O. Box 3006, 1250 San Carlos Avenue, San Carlos 94070.
QWhat are they doing on Highway 84 near Palomares Road in Niles Canyon? — F. Ramiez
ACrews are installing a rock fall protection net and the road will be closed from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. during this effort.
QWe, too, went to Wyoming for the eclipse and some side trips and I noticed that the airport van and tour drivers all stuck exactly to the speed limit or lower. I asked about that and they confirmed that in Wyoming if you speed you get a ticket.
One driver mentioned than many locals appreciate the enforcement since speeding correlates with more bears, elk and other wildlife being killed. It may not be Wyoming targeting out-of-state drivers but rather out-of-state drivers taking their bad habits to Wyoming. — Steve Crawford, El Cerrito
ANow, there’s something I can understand.
QI received a parking ticket at a meter in Walnut Creek. But I noticed when I wrote the check that the license plate number on the ticket did not match the number on my car. It was one digit off. Could I have gotten off? — Mary Ann McLean
AUnlikely. Judges usually allow minor errors like this as long as other information is accurate.