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.

Q:Is it true that city police don’t have the authority to ticket people who ignore stop signs in parking lots? Someone told me that. Seems to me there’s a lot of revenue to be made off of these scofflaws!—Teresa. J. Answer: Shhh! Don’t give them any ideas. Move along, Officer. Nothing to see here. Police do have authority to issue tickets in parking lots. But the issue of whether a commercial parking lot qualifies as a highway under the law is often left to a court to decide, said Tom Lambert of the Virginia State Police.

Q:My question is about a highway memorial sign. I had the sign made. I believe that the Virginia Department of Transportation has to put it up. I just wanted to know whom to contact.—A reader Answer: If you are in Richmond, you should contact VDOT’s Richmond district office at (804) 524-6000 or (800) 663-4188. The e-mail address is . For other locations, visit VDOT’s Web site at http://www.virginiadot.org. Click on “About VDOT” and then “Find your local VDOT office.“

Q:At the new flyover area going from Interstate 295 to Interstate 64 just after the Nuckols Road on-ramp, there are signs that the two left lanes close. This causes everyone—whether they are going to Richmond or Charlottesville—to move into the single right lane. Another right lane appears (which a few will use) and both right lanes go off to Charlottesville, with the original lane also continuing on as the sole lane to Richmond. It would avoid confusion and help the flow of traffic if the right lanes were dedicated to going west and the left lanes east. This way, people can get in the appropriate lanes earlier.

Q:I am looking for potholes in the West Broad Street area. Why? Because I have a car that has a major problem with the transmission. The “slipping indicator” comes on whenever I hit bumps in the road. I need to find a good bump or pothole so that I can get the service technicians to do a ride-along and experience the slipping. I have been unable to locate such a spot. Where’s a good pothole when you really need one?—Betty D.

Q:In the Oct. 4 Street Beat, a reader had a question about enforcement of the “move right” law. This is the law that requires slower-moving drivers to move right when traffic behind them wishes to pass. I asked Tom Lambert of the state police. He said that if the obstructing drivers are going less than the speed limit and won’t get over, they can be ticketed. Fines range from $30 to $81.

Q:One of my pet peeves was in Street Beat on Sept. 27. The driver who stays in the left lane instead of moving to the right causes serious road rage for me. There was a bill introduced several years ago that would have put some teeth into that law. However, it was deemed unenforceable and was killed in subcommittee. Are there any legal solutions regarding those drivers who endanger others as they blithely roll along in the middle or left lane forcing other drivers to try to figure out how to get around them?—Nancy F.

Q:I am having a discussion with a friend who says there is no law about driving in the left lane of a two-lane highway. I thought it was illegal unless you were passing another car. Is there a law regarding this? Thanks.—June D. Answer: Yes, indeed there is a law. The left lane should be thought of as the passing lane. If you’re not passing and you’re not preparing to turn left, the law says you have to move to the right.

Q:We have a situation at Forest Hill Avenue and Melbourne Drive. Waiting to enter Forest Hill is not for the faint of heart. The main problem is the visibility to the west. On your left is a Masonic lodge. Next to this is a McDonald’s restaurant and a shopping-center entrance. There are a lot of shrubs blocking the view. No one seems to see it as a traffic hazard. My neighbors and I feel like it is just an accident waiting to happen.—Henry H.

Q:We came across the Pocahontas Parkway this morning, and clearly there wasn’t any work being done. Are we still obligated to obey the 55 mph work zone speed limit? Or, put another way, is a work zone still a work zone when no one is working in it?—Sue A. Answer: I’m still trying to figure out if a parkway is still a parkway when no one parks on it. And what happens if you watch “The Twilight Zone” during the day?

Q:I note that all the streets running north to south between Broad Street and Monument Avenue and also all the streets running east to west between Malvern Avenue and Staples Mill Road have been resurfaced. But nothing has been done about Patterson Avenue from Malvern (at least) to Willow Lawn Drive. This street gets more traffic than the other streets. Driving on that stretch of Patterson is boneand teeth-jarring, to say the least.

. . . Q:Regarding your Street Beat column on cars and trucks: Someone in a 3,000-pound four-wheeler arguing with an 80,000-pound truck is a recipe for sure disaster. Having driven a truck extensively throughout 47 of the lower 48 states and five provinces of Canada over 45 years, I do not believe that the size of the vehicle has anything to do with unwise operation of same.

August 16, 2009

STREET BEAT  08/16/09 12:01 AM

August 09, 2009

Street Beat  08/09/09 12:01 AM

August 02, 2009

Street Beat  08/02/09 12:01 AM