Drivers Don’t Get the Point at 405 Onramp

Dear Traffic Talk:

The southbound onramp to the San Diego Freeway at Ventura Boulevard has a carpool lane that I use in the morning while taking my small children to day care.

The two lanes of this onramp are accessed from the westbound right lane off Ventura.

Almost daily I find motorists turning right into the carpool lane from the center lane, presumably because they are too impatient to wait in line for access.

Recently, I was also astonished to see two MTA buses perform the same maneuver.

Since the right lane on Ventura is not marked for a mandatory right turn, it is my understanding that a car can proceed through the intersection.

This, however, would make a person a moving target for vehicles turning right from the center lane.

I have nearly been hit several times as I pulled into the carpool lane, by people I believe were making illegal right turns.

Clear markings should indicate from which lanes a right turn is permitted.

Allowing carpool access from the center lane would certainly improve traffic flow. But presently it does not seem to be safe or legal.

I have not seen any accidents there but daily I hold my breath.

Julia Gage

Van Nuys

Dear Julia:

Turning onto the onramp from the center lane off westbound Ventura is, in fact, illegal at that location, according to authorities.

There is no sign or other indicator suggesting otherwise, said Ray Wellbaum, an engineer with the Los Angeles Department of Transportation.

Also, the right lane can turn onto the onramp or proceed straight, he said.

The problem seems to be the lack of any markings, Wellbaum said.

To clarify traffic rules at that location, the department will add the necessary directions.

If the problem persists, Wellbaum said the agency would ask the Los Angeles Police Department for traffic enforcement.

Dear Traffic Talk:

This letter is in regard to the Mountain Street exit off the northbound Glendale Freeway.

I am a resident of that area concerned about access to our neighborhood after getting off the freeway.

The existing exit lanes are being used for both right- and left-hand turns.

I would like to suggest that Caltrans put a “right-hand turn only” sign at that location.

When night school is in session at Glendale Community College, I sometimes have waited up to 11 minutes to get to the front of the line and make my turn.

I would like to see Caltrans give this first priority.

Gary Cornell

Glendale

Dear Gary:

Caltrans studied that location in October 1996 and determined that an exclusive right-turn lane was not justified, according to authorities.

However, engineers are again conducting a field investigation to determine its need, said Pat Reid, a spokeswoman for the agency.

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