Welcome back to "Hey Wait, Is That Legal?" the place where readers' traffic issues are resolved and everyone drives away happy.
Are the yellow speed limit signs different from the white ones? My daughters, who are good drivers, say the yellow signs are just "suggestions," not legal limits. I can't quite believe that. Can you give me the real story?
– Nancy Laubenheimer
Don't doubt your daughters. Signs with white background show official speed limits. Yellow speed signs are advisory, basically warning signs, says Caltrans' Shelly Chernicki, citing the venerable and ever-dusty 450-page state Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
Recently, Back-seat Driver said cars making right turns must pull into the bike lane. You sure?
–Dave McKie
Yep. Doublechecked with DMV. We even know someone who failed the drive test because of it.
The rule applies regardless of whether the line is solid or dotted, DMV says.
Basically, you treat the bike lane like a car lane. By sliding in before you turn, you reduce risk of "right hooking " a cyclist. Remember, though: Cars can't pull into the bike lane just to pass other cars.
If you are in the middle lane of three lanes of traffic and the lane to your left or right is ending, who has the right-of-way? Shouldn't the driver whose whose lane is ending yield?
– Ken Ashworth
Ken's right. It often comes down to courtesy, though, CHP's Lizz Dutton says.
The driver who has the right-of-way should allow – perhaps help?– the other driver merge.
If the other driver is slightly ahead, he probably should pull ahead during the merge.
How soon should you turn right at an intersection, especially a multi-laner, after a pedestrian has passed? Won't cars honk if you wait too long?
–Shaleen Stevenson
Police don't always agree on this. Sacramento police traffic investigator Doug Tracy says you must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians, and drive with "due care" for them.
So, what does that mean? Tracy says you should let the pedestrian pass and walk at least a few steps out of your lane, then you can go.
What happens to speeders if the front seat passenger's view is blocked by a windshield screen, the silver type, designed to prevent dashboards from getting too hot on sunny days? Is there a California law that prohibits this? Would the CHP cite the driver?
– Anne Witt
You bet the CHP will cite, Dutton says.
The law does allow a certified see-through sunscreen on the driver or passenger side windows if you have a doctor's letter.
Call The Bee's Tony Bizjak, (916) 321-1059.
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