THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, April 12, 1996 TAG: 9604110107
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: The Road Warrior
SOURCE: The Road Warrior
LENGTH: Long : 116 lines
It's time to update several previously asked questions that Road had promised to revisit.
First, the bus parked on Silina Drive near the intersection of South Plaza Trail: Engineers have investigated and now deem the location of the bus safe. The bus will not be moved.
Second, the view obstruction at Gettysburg and Monument drives: Engineers say yes, there is a problem and they're working with the homeowner to correct it.
Third, they're going to have a close look at Ferrell Parkway at Pleasant Valley about the possibility of funding and designing pedestrian signals.
And finally, engineers have plans to modify the sign directing folks to turn east off Independence Boulevard onto Pembroke Boulevard. Yes, Pembroke Boulevard also goes west off Independence for about two blocks and the modified sign will show that.
SNARLS OF THE WEEK
The following people called Road's INFOLINE number with their complaints.
Doug Roley. Calling about the light at LASKIN ROAD that goes into the Regency Hilltop Shopping Center. I go through that intersection to pick up a car-pooler every morning between 7 and 7:15 a.m. and the light is tripping when there's nobody coming into or out of that shopping center but it's stopping traffic on Laskin Road, which is heavily traveled by people trying to get to work. How about having someone check it out?
RW: The area already has been checked and it's on the ``bad loop'' list meaning that the light's sensors are not working properly and will be either fixed or replaced sometime soon.
Herb, no address given. I noticed that they're putting up sound barriers along the highways and they're also doing it on the bridges and overpasses. Just curious to know if the sides of the bridges will support all that extra weight during a heavy windstorm. I'm sure somebody thought about it already but I'm just curious.
RW: Now, Herb, you really need to get a hobby and stop pondering these types of questions. Sure, engineers considered such a thing. You don't actually think they'd place sound barriers on a structure that would collapse under their weight?
Come on! We're talking about engineers here. You know the type - guys with measuring sticks, fancy rulers, and a strong background in math.
Connie, Windsor Woods. I'm calling regarding the pothole on OLD FORGE ROAD. I just wanted to let you know that it was fixed. Bye.
RW: Talk about fast work. You just reported the pothole in last week's column! Now, that's results!
Bobby, North End. . I called you several months ago about having the ``no right turn on red signs'' covered up during the winter and spring.
Looks like somebody in City Council got the message. They put up new signs now that say ``yield to pedestrian.'' It really helps move traffic. Thanks a lot. Bye.
RW: Give credit where credit is due, Bobby, and in this case, Road doubts seriously that anyone on the City Council had anything to do with the switch.
Actually, you should pat yourself on the back for bringing it to the attention of Road and engineers. Engineers are the ones who actually decide and implement changes based on concerns they hear about.
Paula Cutler, no address given. I saw your response to my request about the light at INDEPENDENCE and JEANNE and I still think the situation there warrants a left turn on a circular green. Who could I contact in the engineering department to talk about this? Also, I was pleased to see your information about calling the State Police about non-emergency items.
Who would you call from the car with a non-emergency situation within the city of Virginia Beach?
RW: Engineers will be happy to speak with you, Paula. There are any number of 'em at City Hall and they can be reached at 427-4491. Whoever's available at the time will take your call.
About those cellular phone users. If you're in Virginia Beach, on a cellular phone and try to report an emergency by dialing 911, that'll take you to the State Police (whom you don't want). Now, if you're on the interstate and want to report something on a cellular phone, 911 and the State Police are what you want.
Anyway, if you're in Virginia Beach on a cellular phone you should call 427-5000 to report an emergency. If it's not an emergency, call 427-5616.
The following wrote to Road:
Walter S. Ramsden, Colonial Arms Circle. Having arrived here about seven months ago after 15 years in Seattle, Wash., I have observed a consistent phenomenon which puzzles me greatly: While waiting to make a left turn at a green circle light, at least 80 percent of local drivers wait back behind the white stripe rather than waiting out in the middle of the intersection.
My question is, does the law require waiting behind the white line?
RW: Road has pondered this question long and hard. Road has searched the Virginia Driver's Manual. Road has made phone calls to engineers and DMV traffic safety folks and there seems to be a consensus that it's actually safer to stay behind the white line waiting for a clear spot to turn left. If you're out in the intersection waiting you risk several things - you can't see the light well to determine when it turns red; if you're out in the intersection and not on the line, the traffic signal will assume no one's waiting to turn and may actually skip a phase because of this and give the green light to a different car on a side street or main street which could mean a nasty accident; and finally, if you're out in an intersection and you've turned the steering wheel in the direction you want to turn, waiting for a break in traffic, if someone bumps you from behind, you'll be pushed into traffic. So, it's always a good idea to never turn your wheels until you're actually in the process of making the turn.
As for police involvement. Say you're out there waiting for your break in traffic and the light turns red and there still is no break for you to turn, you can be ticketed for obstructing traffic.
So, there's really no right or wrong answer to this one. More it's a judgment call. And, around these parts, most folks prefer to wait at the white line because it's just downright dangerous to sit in the middle of an MEMO: Tell the Road Warrior about your motoring problems. Get 'em off your
chest. Call on Infoline, at 640-5555. After a brief message, dial ROAD
(7623). When directed, press 1 to deliver your message, and 1 again to
sign off.
intersection. Or, write: The Road Warrior, Virginia Beach Beacon, 4565
Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach, Va. 23462.
Don't forget to include your name, address and neighborhood. by CNB