Q: My son and I were recently traveling on the eastbound 91 Freeway through Anaheim Hills and noticed a passenger vehicle driving through the weigh station to bypass traffic. What is the penalty for non-commercial vehicles that use those lanes as a shortcut?
– David Cordero, Anaheim
A: Honk tried to connect with the California Highway Patrol at that weigh station David, but couldn’t.
But, as you know, he is one smart cookie.
So he turned his gaze southward and called one of the San Onofre weigh stations, just south of the Orange County border.
There, like at other weigh stations, semitrucks are weighed and inspected to ensure they trundle safely. CHP officers stationed there wear dark-blue uniforms, which can better hide smudges than the traditional tan ones, because they crawl beneath the trucks for look-sees.
Officer Andrew Betancourt said such shortcut attempts are rare where he is stationed: “It’s not real common.”
If it happens, there are two Vehicle Codes that would likely work to penalize the offender with a ticket: There is a 5 mph speed limit for the short road through the weigh station, and such a scofflaw would likely be violating that. And if the scales were shuttered, that means any such vehicle could be cited for failing to adhere to the posted closed sign.
His weigh station does get the occasional non-trucker though: Drivers, usually with small children, needing a restroom in a long stretch of roadway with few of them.
They get a pass.
“We’re all human,” Officer Betancourt said.
Q: If you are in a right- or left-turn-only lane, are you required to have the turn signal on?
– Donna Furon, Seal Beach
A: “No, not required,” said Duane Graham, an officer and spokesman for the CHP out of the Westminster station, which patrols the 22 and 405 freeways through your fine city, Donna.
“The signal is to let another driver know your intention,” he explained.
And, of course, other motorists would know where you are headed, if you are in such a restricted lane.
But before sliding into that lane, you might need to hit the ol’ blinker.
On highways and freeways, when changing lanes or turning — if another motorist is about and could be affected by a maneuver — using a turn signal is a must.
But, of course, nearly vacant roadways in Southern California are as common as a morning with a wrinkle-free Honk. Usually best to just use the signal.
In the Golden State, if you prefer flapping a wing out of the window instead of hitting the blinker, hand signals are acceptable.
HONKIN’ FACTS: In 2022, across the country, traffic collisions killed 42,514 people, from vehicle occupants to pedestrians. For perspective, picture Angel Stadium in your mind’s eye — it seats 45,603. (Sources: the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Major League Baseball.)
To ask Honk questions, reach him at honk@ocregister.com. He only answers those that are published. To see Honk online: ocregister.com/tag/honk. Twitter: @OCRegisterHonk
