Reader: Interstate 80 pylons are the size of garbage cans

Q

Plastic pylons work to control traffic. Check out Interstate 80 between Nevada and Utah sometime to see the miles and miles of orange garbage can size pylons separating lanes of traffic in construction zones.

Traffic actually slows from 80 to 55 mph in these zones and most drivers obey.

I wouldn’t drive over one of those large things and I didn’t see many out of place.

What do you think, maybe worth a call to Caltrans?

— Tim Spacek,

San Jose

A

Pylons are getting sturdier, and the ones you describe certainly are substantial, and would present a real risk to someone who hit them.

In more urban areas, they tend to be run over more often because traffic is generally heavier, and people are trying to find a way to bypass backups.

Q

The other day I was driving home from work on 580 when I saw two CHP cruisers speeding and weaving their way through traffic, passing people on the right.

I suspect they were going 80-85, 20 miles over the speed limit. And no, they didn’t have their lights or sirens on.

I couldn’t help but think about the questions asked by other readers in recent months about why CHP isn’t doing more with drivers who do this exact thing.

But what happens when it is CHP who is doing the reckless driving?

And it isn’t just limited to them.

I’ve seen city police blow through red lights, speed and ignore traffic laws on city streets, etc. without their lights on.

I understand the police sometimes need to get places fast, but that is what lights and sirens are for, to warn people.

Otherwise, I believe police have a responsibility to set a good example for driving habits, but that seems to increasingly not be the case.

How can we expect everyday drivers to abide by the rules of the road and drive safely when the police often do not themselves? — Andy Spivack, Emeryville

A

The officers may have been running a traffic control maneuver, or preparing to, to slow down motorists.

They sometimes feel that lights and sirens can be more distracting than not.

Q

While I am not in favor of cameras to enforce traffic laws, I would support strategically placed cameras to enforce draconian measures against dive bombers.

— Jim Norvell,

San Jose

A

I understand your feelings on this. Like it or not, it’s not going to happen.

Cameras work best to lower speeds or catch red light runners, situations when they would be catching a clear cut violation of a specific law.

Dive bombing may be aggravating, but does not necessarily violate the law, depending on the circumstances involved.

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