Left-turn light in jeopardy

The city budget is unveiled today -- but it already looks like transportation programs might take a hit. The DN says a plan to add more left-turn signals on city streets is in jeopardy:

[The] city will borrow from its $186 million reserve fund to cover the shortfall, but an additional plan to cut some services - including tree trimming and installation of left-turn signals at key intersections - drew sharp complaints from City Council members. Councilwoman Wendy Greuel decried the loss of more than $800,000 to the Department of Transportation in funds that had been earmarked for left-turn signals. "We are the policy-making body of this city," Greuel said. "We authorized the money for a specific purpose and it is not up to you to decide not to spend that money."

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Comments

[bg mendell]

I am constantly complaining about all the traffic in front of me;
then, I ask myself
"self, what am I doing here?"
Free will; it is my choice.

[Kate]

Greg: my problem is less with turns where there is no left-turn lane--that is an obvious traffic issue--than with intersections that have a left-turn lane but no left-turn arrow. And it's getting harder to turn left even when an arrow is there, because drivers are still acting on the last part of the signal, and are in the way of the left turn that now has right-of-way.

I'm not sure all the tunnels are closed, Richard. I've seen at least one that I think is still open, but it gives me the creeps and I've never used it. Too many potential (and probably actual) problems with lighting and safety, IMO. Who knows who or what I might find down there? I'm safer taking my chances with the cars, I think.

[Richard H]

No pedestrian tunnels.

They have been tried. They were not used for what they were intended. All existing pedestrian tunnels have been closed up in Los Angeles, as far as I know.

[greg kay]

I agree with kate and adam. If you need to turn left where there is no turn lane, this can be better accomplished in 3 right turns. Left hand turn traffic serves to impede and slow everyone else for the gain of the relatively few. If you don't believe it, try driving city streets through north orange count;y (for example: Beach Boulevard), where EVERY intersection has a lefthand turn signal. The end result is absurdly long light cycles - wasting time and gasoline. Orange County makes me appreciate the great job LA's traffic engineers have done with what they have: relatively narrow early 20th century streets that were never intended to carry the the traffic loads they do. Even if there was money for more left turn signals - why emulate suburbia - instead learn from their mistakes - and put the money into more sensors, cameras and maybe a few pedestrian bridges like they have all over Japan.

[Adam]

I think banning all left turns is a great idea. Especially where there are no left turn lanes. And where there is a left turn lane, but the lane is filled with cars trying to turn left, it should be illegal to block the through lane. i.e., you would have to drive through the intersection and turn left (or right) somewhere else.

[bg mendell]

Californians need to complete a NASCAR driving course.
NASCAR has shown to be a competent continual left turn.
Put a big number on your car door and go for it.
PS: It is still legal to shoot anyone using a cellphone while driving.

[Kate]

"And no, we can not ban left turns. "

Too bad, because there was no sarcasm in that suggestion at all. Or in this statement, for that matter.

I do think that the pedestrian tunnels are an interesting idea, but a number of safety issues spring to mind.

[Angel Garcia]

Maybe if we stop sending the mayor's employees to European art education trips and giving them 26% raises, and stop giving the city council even more in raises, there would be an extra 800,000 lieing around for left turn signals. And no, we can not ban left turns. More eforcement i snecessary to stem the light runners. Put more police in key intersections and watch what happens to those red light runners.

[Sara]

Another thing that would be helpful would be the building of pedestrian tunnels/bridges. It's hard enough to make left turns in L.A., but waiting for pedestrians to cross the street at already jammed Westside and H'Wood intersections just makes it that much worse. Not blaming peds - just saying we should be more efficient.

[Kate]

That's a shame. It seems to get harder and harder to make a left turn, as more straight-ahead drivers run yellow and even red lights. Left turn arrows don't solve this problem entirely, but they help a lot.

Maybe they can outlaw left turns altogether, but add more stoplights to make it easier to make a series of right turns involving major streets. Because that would save money.