Brightest Road to Safety: Turn On All Headlights

Dear Street Smart:

On highways where there are signs saying, “Turn on headlights, next seven miles,” are daytime running lights considered enough? Or should I turn on the regular headlights?

James R. Huber

Fullerton

You’re not likely to get pulled over for relying solely on your daytime running lights because they seem to be accomplishing the same goal, said Steve Kohler, a spokesman for the California Highway Patrol.

The lights are installed in some newer cars to increase visibility by remaining lit whenever the car is driven, day or night.

On the other hand, Kohler said, because the lights are so new, some officers may not be familiar with them. So, he said, “if you want to be conscientious and avoid the appearance of evil,” why not turn on your regular headlights too?

Remember to turn them off, though, or when you come back to your car you won’t be going anywhere.

The daytime running lights were developed after studies showed that leaving car lights on during the day can increase visibility and reduce accidents. The studies also prompted Caltrans to erect the signs you mention on some accident-prone highways.

Dear Street Smart:

A bit over a year ago, Seapoint Avenue in Huntington Beach was extended from Palm Avenue to Pacific Coast Highway. A pedestrian crosswalk with “Walk/Don’t Walk” signs was installed and a pad on the beach side of the highway was provided. However, the pedestrian walkway goes nowhere. There is nothing but a bluff on the opposite side of the highway and a steep path to the beach carved out by valiant bathers.

For the most part, it’s a dangerous path for senior citizens and children.

Are there any plans to provide a stairway from the highway to the bike path below? Is this a Caltrans problem, or one for Huntington Beach?

Edmund Sakowicz

Huntington Beach

Although the state owns the beach, the city plans to build a pedestrian ramp down to it, said Les M. Jones, director of public works for Huntington Beach. The problem, though, is money: Although the project will cost an estimated $88,000, the city has only $20,000 earmarked for it from grants and contributions.

The city is seeking donations from local businesses to complete the project.

Dear Street Smart:

I would like to know the proper procedure when informing the authorities, via my car phone, regarding a motorist in distress. Is it proper to use 911, and if not, what number should I use?

Edward Malkowicz

Fullerton

It is perfectly appropriate to dial 911 from your car phone provided you are reporting a real emergency, said the CHP’s Kohler.

Definitely do report dangerous situations, including reckless or drunk drivers, crimes in progress or vehicles (including your own) stalled at locations that impede traffic or place the occupants at risk. You should also use 911 to report accidents on the freeway.

Before calling about an accident, however, assess the situation. If it looks as if it happened a while ago, and especially when emergency vehicles are present, he said not to bother.

“Sometimes there will be a collision and the next 50 people who drive by call us--we have to check each call,” Kohler said. “We just ask that you be prudent.”

And keep in mind that, unlike when you dial 911 from home, emergency calls made from cellular phones are routed to CHP operators who do not automatically know your location. “It’s important to give as clear an indication of where you are as possible,” Kohler said.

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Street Smart appears Mondays in The Times Orange County Edition. Readers are invited to submit comments and questions about traffic, commuting and what makes it difficult to get around in Orange County. Include simple sketches if helpful. Letters may be published in upcoming columns. Please write to David Haldane, c/o Street Smart, The Times Orange County Edition, P.O. Box 2008, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, send faxes to (714) 966-7711 or e-mail him at David.H[email protected]. Include your full name, address and day and evening phone numbers. Letters may be edited, and no anonymous letters will be accepted.