Left-Turn Creeps

By Ron Shaffer
Thursday, December 29, 2005

Dear Dr. Gridlock:

Regarding the problem with left turns in Virginia, I don't understand the problem, and I don't understand "creeping."

I was first licensed in Michigan and have been licensed in four other states before moving to Virginia. In every other state and the District, a left-turner enters the intersection fully, as if there were no oncoming traffic. If there actually is none, he completes the turn. Otherwise, he waits in the intersection for a safe break in the traffic, and if no break comes, he completes the turn once the changing light has caused the oncoming traffic to stop.

Virginia is the only place I've been where so many people wait behind the stop line before left turns. I presume some of those people just have to sit there at busy intersections (that don't have a left-turn light) until the end of rush hour.

I've seen some of them "creep" out into the intersection but then chicken out when the light changes, only to block the cross traffic.

What is the law in Virginia, and what are students taught in driving class?

Neil M. Smith

Woodbridge

Whether the lead left-turner moves into an intersection is up to him. No law requires it. However, common practice here is for the lead vehicle to creep into the intersection and make a left when oncoming traffic permits. That is much appreciated by the second vehicle in line.

Hybrid HOV Exemption

Dear Dr. Gridlock:

In the past few months you have run numerous letters concerning the legal use of the HOV lanes by hybrid cars. I would like to add a comment on the possible extension of the hybrid exemption, considering the large number of hybrid models (and large-horsepower configurations) that will be available in the next year or so.

California recently enacted a law that allows hybrids in its HOV lanes -- but with an interesting twist. Not only does the car have to be a hybrid, but it must also get at least 45 miles per gallon and meet strict emission standards.

Bill Reidy

Gainesville

Dear Dr. Gridlock:

I will be introducing a bill in the 2006 session of the Virginia General Assembly to extend the exemption for hybrid vehicles using the HOV lanes.

A bill I introduced several years ago put the current exemption in place.

Please encourage your readers to write to their delegates and senators asking them to vote for my bill.

I hope the legislature follows your advice that we extend the exemption and crack down on the cheaters.

Del. Kenneth R. Plum (D-Reston)

I'm wishing you well. Hybrid owners who want to see the exemption extended should contact their state delegate or senator.

Learn to Share

Dear Dr. Gridlock:

When will the people living in Clifton stop complaining about the commuter traffic? Do they realize that they don't own the roads we travel on, but we taxpayers do?

They should also think about the fact that when they commute or do their errands, they too are traveling on roads going through someone else's neighborhood.

Instead of putting up rude and childish signs on their properties telling the commuters to "Get Out" of their neighborhood, they should use their time to write their local officials and ask for more funding for better roads.

Traffic is getting worse every day, and we all need to learn to share the roads.

Russ Carpenter

Manassas

Roadside Sobriety Tests

Dear Dr. Gridlock:

I am a volunteer with Mothers Against Drunk Driving and have spent many hours observing local DUI checkpoints. I had to laugh at the writer who was complaining about being unable to do the one-legged stand even when sober.

The one-legged stand is not easy to do; however, it is but one tool used to observe a suspected impaired driver.

When a driver is pulled over for a traffic violation, alcohol use can be easily detected by smell and observation. A driver will be asked to perform the field sobriety tests -- on level ground -- and is always asked if there is any physical reason the tests cannot be performed. Shoes can be removed during the tests.

If the driver fails the field sobriety tests, he or she will be asked to blow into the breathalyzer equipment.

I suggest that no one should refuse because, if the driver failed the field tests due only to awkwardness or fear, the breathalyzer will show that they are not legally impaired.

If they are not legally impaired, the driver will go home. And if the breathalyzer shows that the driver is, in fact, legally impaired, the driver will be arrested and removed from the road.

I have seen checkpoints with as many as 22 arrests. I believe that most of us are glad that impaired drivers are taken off the roads before they kill or hurt someone.

Leslie Thomas

Annapolis

Transportation researcher Diane Mattingly contributed to this column.

Dr. Gridlock appears Thursday in The Extra and Sunday in the Metro section. You can write to Dr. Gridlock at 1150 15th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20071. He prefers to receive e-mail, atdrgridlock@washpost.com, or faxes, at 703-352-3908. Include your full name, town, county and day and evening telephone numbers.