Tough to Nab Rigs Trucking in the Fast Lane

Dear Traffic Talk:

Why does the California Highway Patrol do little or nothing at all about trucks--even 18-wheelers--driving in the No. 1 and 2 lanes when there are no signs reading “Trucks OK”?

This serious hazard occurs on freeways inside and outside of the San Fernando Valley.

Dave Weisman

Burbank

Dear Dave:

The California Highway Patrol places a high priority on enforcing traffic laws, said Officer Tito Gomez, a spokesman for the agency.

Officers in Los Angeles County alone hand out thousands of citations yearly to drivers or truck companies for various violations, according to officials.

On Los Angeles city streets, truckers are given a little more liberty to use other lanes because they often need the space to make turns and access loading and unloading points.

On the freeways, however, orange and black warning signs reading “Trucks Use Right Lane” are scattered throughout the county. They precede black and white regulatory signs with the same message.

In those areas, it is illegal for truckers to drive in the left-hand lane. They are required to stay in the right lane and use the next lane only to pass, Gomez said.

In some parts of Southern California--such as on the Sepulveda Pass approaching the San Diego and Ventura freeways intersection--officers give truckers a few miles of leeway to set up their exchanges.

Otherwise, the agency enforces commercial traffic laws rigorously, Gomez said.

In addition to weigh stations where officers inspect trucks, the agency even has commercial traffic units statewide staffed with officers whose only duty is to supervise big trucks on the road.

Gomez said the officers routinely stop drivers in Los Angeles County.

After pulling a truck over, officers will often perform a thorough inspection of the vehicle, Gomez said.

Drivers are sometimes cited, not only for driving in the fast lane but also for various other violations, such as hauling excessive weight or mechanical problems.

As with speed, carpool or other violations, officers simply can’t catch every truck driver cruising along in the fast lane, Gomez said.

Dear Traffic Talk:

I read recently that the San Diego Freeway south of Santa Monica Boulevard carries 331,000 vehicles a day and is our busiest freeway.

Are there any plans for widening this freeway soon?

Ray Myers

Palmdale

Dear Ray:

There are plans to widen the freeway relatively soon.

The widening will consist of carpool lane expansions, said Pat Reid, a Caltrans spokeswoman.

The first stretch of the lanes will be from Century Boulevard to California 90. Caltrans plans to finish that project by 2001, Reid said.

Another stretch from California 90 to the Santa Monica Freeway should open by 2004.

And a third stretch, from the Santa Monica Freeway to the Ventura Freeway should open by 2005, according to authorities.

Traffic Talk appears Fridays in The Times Valley Edition. Readers may submit comments and questions about traffic in the Valley to Traffic Talk, Los Angeles Times, 20000 Prairie St., Chatsworth 91311. Include your name, address and phone number. Letters may be edited, and no anonymous letters will be accepted. To record your comments, call (818) 772-3303. Fax letters to (818) 772-3385. E-mail questions to [email protected]