A Red Alert: Turning Right Against Red Onto Artesia Is Wrong

Dear Street Smart:

I wish to bring to your attention a serious traffic problem in Buena Park at the southbound entrance to the Santa Ana Freeway. This intersection consists of the east and westbound traffic on Artesia Boulevard; the southbound Artesia off-ramp from the Santa Ana Freeway; Knott Avenue; and the southbound on-ramp onto the Santa Ana Freeway.

I refer only to the portion of Artesia Boulevard, about 250 feet, that is west of the Santa Ana Freeway.

Vehicles westbound on Artesia need to cross the eastbound lanes of Artesia Boulevard from a left-turn lane to enter the southbound entrance to the Santa Ana Freeway.

This is possible because there is a portion of the westbound Artesia Boulevard to southbound Knott’s left-turn signal cycle to permit this entrance.

The problem is with northbound vehicles on Knott Avenue making right-hand turns on red, particularly during the aforementioned left-turn cycle.

I observed that there are posted three “No Turn on Red” signs for the northbound traffic on Knott. The regularity with which the signs are ignored leads me to believe that their placement may not be most effective.

I would hope that additional enforcement might be considered during the morning commute hours and late morning to mid-afternoon and a review of the sign placement might be made. David G. Connett La Mirada Caltrans responded to your letter in two parts. First, they informed the Buena Park Police Department of your concerns and recommendations for additional law enforcement at Artesia Boulevard and the Santa Ana Freeway, Caltrans spokeswoman Rose Orem said.

Caltrans also conducted an investigation of the area and concluded that the three “No Turn on Red” signs are prominently placed for all right-turning motorists to see, Orem said. The findings agreed with your suggestion that additional enforcement is needed to cite the drivers who ignore these signs, Orem said.

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The Orange County Transportation Authority has received a $450,000 grant from the Federal Highway Administration to develop a countywide electronic traveler information system.

The system will give drivers up-to-the-minute traffic conditions on freeways throughout Orange County.

The system will enable drivers to switch on their televisions or make a phone call to plan their commutes.

Initially, plans call for the technology to be used to gather traffic information from the freeway system and from the county’s Smart Street network. The cost of that is estimated at $3 million. Full development of the system is expected over the next 20 years.

The $450,000 grant is being used for design and engineering.