>Traffic Jammin’ with Janis Mara – Every Monday at 2pm on Claycord.com.
TRAFFIC JAMMER: Greetings, all! This Claycord.com column is for everyone who negotiates the highways and public transit of the Bay Area. It runs every Monday at 2pm and answers your commuting and transportation questions.
Email your questions to trafficjammin@claycord.com.
COMMUTER: I recently was driving southbound on Interstate 680 in Contra Costa County. When I exited the freeway, the two right lanes at the exit ramp had big white right-turn arrows painted on them.
I stopped at the red light in the right lane that was not closest to the curb, in other words, the one on the left. Would it have been legally permissible for me to make a right on red?
–Not a Leftist
TRAFFIC JAMMER: The Jammer turned once again to her trusty law enforcement source for the answer to this one. She asked, “When there are two dedicated right-turn lanes, is it OK to make a right turn (after stopping, of course) from the leftmost right-turn lane?”
The answer: “Generally, yes. A right turn after a stop at a red light (not a red arrow!) is allowed from the right lane and/ or a dedicated turn lane (we call them turn collectors). HOWEVER, watch for the prohibiting signs!”
Our insider source explained that it is not OK to make such a turn at 680/Monument. “Fifteen years in the biz has taught me there seems to be an abundance of turning restrictions around the 680 corridor … and they are enthusiastically enforced.”
I think we all know what the officer means by that, don’t we?
COMMUTER: I was driving down Interstate 80 near the Emeryville exit and some bozo’s car was emitting such a heavy trail of smoke, I was afraid the car was on fire. No such luck, as said bozo continued to drive near me for miles. If the engine had been on fire at least he would have had to pull over!
–Choking on Smoke
TRAFFIC JAMMER: COS, you can report any vehicle that is smoking excessively while driving on a local street or on the highway to the California Air Resources Board. To reach the ARB’s Vehicle Complaint Hotline, call 1-800-END-SMOG (1-800-363-7664). You can also fill out a complaint form online at http://www.arb.ca.gov/enf/complaints/svc2.htm
COMMUTER: I know you can get a ticket for talking on a cell phone held in your hand, or for texting; there are highway message signs up all over the Bay Area about texting right now. But what about using the GPS on your smartphone?
–Wandering Wayfarer
TRAFFIC JAMMER: Yes, you can get a ticket for using the GPS on your smartphone, WW. However, there are some ways around this. You can buy a holder for the phone – for example, the Arkon Slim-Grip Ultra Sticky Suction Dashboard & Windshield Mount.
(The Jammer does not endorse this product; she just found the name so hilarious she had to put it in. Not since Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles has there been such a bizarre juxtaposition of elements in one title.) Just remember if you do this, you must input the address of your destination before you take off.
While we’re on the subject, WC, you could also get a standard GPS unit for the car. These are actually made with driving in mind, after all. If you do, keep in mind that these little puppies must be in a 7-inch square in the lower corner of the windshield farthest from you, the driver; or in a 5-inch square in the lower corner closest to the driver; and outside of an air bag deployment zone.
COMMUTER: Is it true that hybrids actually do cause air pollution?
–Zoe
TRAFFIC JAMMER: Well, they do cause some air pollution, Zoe. At low speeds, hybrids run on electrical power only and emit no pollutants. When a hybrid — such as the Prius — drives at high speeds, the gas engine kicks in. Hybrids pollute the same as any other car at highway speeds, but they do not pollute when they are at low speeds and running on electric power only. So, it averages out to less pollution than a car running strictly on gas.
Electric cars like the Chevy Volt can travel at both high and low speeds for somewhere in the neighborhood of 40 miles without using gas. After 40 miles, the gas motor will start up to charge the batteries.
TRAFFIC JAMMER: That’s it for this week – see you next Monday. Be sure to cruise by Claycord.com at 2pm for more traffic intelligence. Remember, whether you drive, walk, bike or hop Amtrak, BART or AC Transit, Traffic Jammer Janis Mara is here to answer your questions.
Send your questions to trafficjammin@claycord.com.
