Street Beat for Nov. 22

Q:You were correct in your explanation of the merge process at the south approach to the Huguenot Bridge at the River Road Shopping Center -- and in the suggestion that drivers "play nice."

But to understand the complex psychology of this situation, it helps to realize that Cary Street Road coming down the hill from Three Chopt Road toward the bridge is a single-lane road. It is two lanes only for a hundred yards or so before it merges back to one lane.

The two-lane section seems to have been designed to accommodate traffic turning from River Road and traffic for the shopping areas. But many drivers coming down Cary Street Road see the short two-lane section as an opportunity to charge past drivers in front of them. This behavior does seem to provoke resentment on the part of the passed drivers, who then are not inclined to yield as the road returns to a single lane.

No good answer exists for this situation, only continued encouragement for mergers and mergees to both be considerate.

Thanks for your interesting column; I look forward to reading it each week! -- Cary A.

Answer: I hadn't realized this area presented such a temptation for some drivers.

I received several interesting messages about merging etiquette, and I'll share some in future columns.

. . .

Answer: I can share some of the blame for this. And perhaps a fellow member of your church can, too.

In January, a reader reported a long wait at the light on Pilkington Street. The city's Department of Public Works made an adjustment for Sundays from noon to 2 p.m.

"This means that more green time was given to the Pilkington Street approach," said the department's Sharon North.

"However, Hull Street should not be waiting longer than two minutes to have a green light. We will ask our technicians to verify whether there is a malfunction."

. . .

Please clear this up because for some reason people think they can park in these clearly marked spots when they themselves are not handicapped. -- Ron M.

Answer: Yes, authorities can ticket drivers who park in handicap spots on private property.

It doesn't matter if the spot is open. Look, folks, a handicap spot is not going to be occupied 24 hours a day. The person using it is going to leave eventually. It's a parking spot, not a campground. That's why it's reserved -- for the next person who genuinely needs it.

But "the marking of the spot must strictly comply with the requirements in the code for a violation to occur," said Tom Lambert of the Virginia State Police.

"This might also be a good time to remind your readers that driving around with that disabled parking placard on their rearview mirror is also an offense," he said. "You must take it down when the vehicle is in motion."

Do you have a question for Street Beat? Contact Patrick Owens at or (804) 649-6802. Follow him at http://twitter.com/RTDStreetBeat.