Is it legal for lane-splitters to use unconventional lights?
Q: This previous week I was driving on westbound I-80 in Berkeley at all-around 3:30 pm on a weekday. I was in the lane up coming to the diamond lane. I appeared in my rear-look at mirror. A motorbike was lane-splitting amongst the diamond lane and my lane. Alright, no dilemma? Correct.
Not certain why you would lane-split when there are two lanes touring at diverse speeds. This rider had on a green security vest, very similar to these employed in some European nations for police and protection officers. Again no problem? Completely wrong.
The motorcycle had two vivid amber-greenish lights that ended up flashing. Sure, you could see the lights and the motorbike. Nevertheless, from what I could convey to, he was not regulation enforcement. I just want to know if it is appropriate on California highways to use flashing lights on a non-law-enforcement motorcycle.
John Caldwell, El Sobrante, CA A: Headlights should be inexperienced or yellow. Nonetheless, there are cases, these types of as lane splitting, when riders may use other ways to make them selves more seen. These could incorporate the use of diverse coloured lights — which is not recommended, but it transpires.
Working with transform indicators as warning gadgets is a distinct situation, advises Bruce-the-former-site visitors-cop. “We have all found motorcyclists lane-splitting and employing their 4-way-flashers as warning gadgets to assistance inform drivers of their tactic. Not a bad concept, truly, but not authorized, both, in my impression,” he stated.
Q: A authorized dilemma for you to sort out. I have a handicap placard for my use. A buddy I occasionally journey with has a single in the car or truck for his spouse. Is it legal for him to put up her placard when she is not there and I use my certification paperwork that I acquired with my placard? In quick, will my paperwork validate the use of her placard?
Richard Steele, Hollister CA
A: No. In buy for you to use a handicap placard, the selection on the placard ought to match the quantity on the certification paperwork furnished when your placard was issued.
Q: In San Jose, when driving south on Freeway 87 to make the flip onto northbound Interstate 280, there is a sharp curve. Consistently, the yellow sand barrels are crushed wherever an individual has been likely much too quickly, skipped the convert and hit the barrels. On the solution to the flip, there should be signals telling people today to slow for the curve. Can Caltrans put “slow, curve ahead” symptoms there?
A: Thanks for flagging this. The 87-280 interchange will get a good deal of problems. Caltrans has been given your grievance and will appear into it to make some enhancements afterwards this calendar year.
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