Traffic nightmare - who's at fault? (rental, DMV, subdivision)

[jdavid93225]

This afternoon on my way home, I had to navigate through backed up traffic in the Newhall pass. When I reached the 5/14 split, there was a pickup truck with a large trailer that had burned right where the two freeways split (#3 & 4 of 6 lanes), with a Caltrans crew cleaning up what appeared to possibly be spilled fuel, or maybe other fluids. A while later, while listening to the radio, I heard another traffic report stating that there was a fatal accident on I-5 south of I-210 that involved a motorcycle. While the radio didn't specifically say so, I am certain this accident was the result of the traffic tie-up from the truck fire.

It seems to me that the driver of the pickup truck should, at least partially, be to blame for the fatality, since he was pulling a trailer in lanes where he had no business being. There is a truck bypass at that location for 18 wheelers and people pulling trailers belong, allowing them to stay in their designated (right-hand) lanes after the split. California law states that trucks and vehicles pulling trailers belong in the right-hand lane, or the lane next to the right-hand lane if they are passing a slower vehicle in the right-hand lane. The truck bypass is designated for all such vehicles, so drivers do not have to navigate into the left lanes to travel north on I-5 at this location.

Nearly every time I drive through the pass, I see someone pulling a trailer illegally in the wrong lane. I see this same infraction in many other places, too. The Highway Patrol seems as if they don't care about these infractions, which, in my opinion, are more dangerous than some of the ones they do seem to enforce, such as speeding on wide-open freeways. If they do cite someone for pulling a trailer in the wrong lane, it's always an 18 wheeler, never a car or pickup with a trailer. The thing is, the driver of the 18 wheeler moves back over to the right as soon as he passes a slower vehicle, but the driver of the car or pickup with the trailer just hangs out in that lane where he doesn't need to be.

Does anyone know why the CHP doesn't enforce these lane restrictions regularly? I sure would like to know why that is. While I'm thinking about it, maybe the DMV should give a trailering test before issuing a trailer registration. They could also have a requirement that rental yards give a test to drivers before they are eligible to rent a trailer (e.g. U-Haul).

End of rant!

[Charles]

Originally Posted by jdavid93225

It seems to me that the driver of the pickup truck should, at least partially, be to blame for the fatality, since he was pulling a trailer in lanes where he had no business being.

"I knew an old lady who swallowed a fly.... "

It's going to be tough to comment on all these points as we really don't know what happened. But in general, I think the CHP (or any organization) allocates its resources by priority.

Actually, it's my fault about the motorcyclist as the driver of the inflamed truck was thinking about my city data posts which distracted him, causing his distress and loss of control which caused the fire which eventually caused the motorcycle accident.

"....But I don't know why she swallowed the fly, Perhaps she'll die."

[MIKEETC]

Originally Posted by jdavid93225

This afternoon on my way home, I had to navigate through backed up traffic in the Newhall pass. When I reached the 5/14 split, there was a pickup truck with a large trailer that had burned right where the two freeways split (#3 & 4 of 6 lanes), with a Caltrans crew cleaning up what appeared to possibly be spilled fuel, or maybe other fluids. A while later, while listening to the radio, I heard another traffic report stating that there was a fatal accident on I-5 south of I-210 that involved a motorcycle. While the radio didn't specifically say so, I am certain this accident was the result of the traffic tie-up from the truck fire.

It seems to me that the driver of the pickup truck should, at least partially, be to blame for the fatality...

The connection between the pickup truck driver's accident and the motorcyclist's death is tenuous. A variety of factors could have led to both accidents and the results that followed. For all we know, the motorcyclist may have committed suicide. Ridiculous perhaps but so is the belief that the pickup should be held responsible.

[Lovehound]

The truck lanes are merely that, "truck" lanes, intended for the 18 wheelers. Yeah, it's a good place to go if you are pulling a boat or vacation trailer, but I know of no law that requires boat and vacation trailer haulers to use the "truck" lanes.

The traffic nightmare is caused by all of us, and those of us who commute greater distances on the freeway are more responsible than those who don't.

[jdavid93225]

Originally Posted by Charles

"I knew an old lady who swallowed a fly.... "

It's going to be tough to comment on all these points as we really don't know what happened. But in general, I think the CHP (or any organization) allocates its resources by priority.

Actually, it's my fault about the motorcyclist as the driver of the inflamed truck was thinking about my city data posts which distracted him, causing his distress and loss of control which caused the fire which eventually caused the motorcycle accident.

"....But I don't know why she swallowed the fly, Perhaps she'll die."

Thanks Charles.
I needed a good laugh, and got it from the humor of your post.

[jdavid93225]

Originally Posted by Lovehound

The truck lanes are merely that, "truck" lanes, intended for the 18 wheelers. Yeah, it's a good place to go if you are pulling a boat or vacation trailer, but I know of no law that requires boat and vacation trailer haulers to use the "truck" lanes.

Actually, there is such a law. It requires drivers of vehicles pulling trailers to use the right-hand most lane of a multi-lane highway, just like the 18 wheelers are required to do. There is an allowance to use the lane next to the right lane for overtaking slower traffic. This is the reason we have that truck route. It keeps those trucks and vehicles pulling trailers from traveling in the other lanes where they don't belong. See California V.C. section 21655 below.

Originally Posted by Lovehound

The traffic nightmare is caused by all of us, and those of us who commute greater distances on the freeway are more responsible than those who don't.

This is true to some extent. Part of the problem in congested areas is that people don't yield to faster traffic, whether it be someone sitting in the left lane needlessly, or someone pulling a trailer where they shouldn't be. These people interfere with the general flow of traffic, and should move to the right to allow faster traffic to pass. The distance of one's commute really doesn't have any bearing on the cause of the traffic nightmare, it's how that person drives while in traffic that matters. Another major cause of traffic nightmares is the person that fails to merge when a lane ends, and they try to get as far ahead as possible before they finally do so, causing the car(s) they cut off to brake suddenly.

Here's the section of the Vehicle Code applicable to towing trailers. Section 21655 (b) pertains to those vehicles to which V.C. Section 22406 applies, which is the speed restriction for trucks and autos pulling trailers:

Originally Posted by California Vehicle Code

Designated Lanes for Certain Vehicles 21655. (a) Whenever the Department of Transportation or local authorities with respect to highways under their respective jurisdictions determines upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation that the designation of a specific lane or lanes for the travel of vehicles required to travel at reduced speeds would facilitate the safe and orderly movement of traffic, the department or local authority may designate a specific lane or lanes for the travel of vehicles which are subject to the provisions of Section 22406 and shall erect signs at reasonable intervals giving notice thereof.
(b) Any trailer bus, except as provided in Section 21655.5, and any vehicle subject to the provisions of Section 22406 shall be driven in the lane or lanes designated pursuant to subdivision (a) whenever signs have been erected giving notice of that designation. Except as otherwise provided in this subdivision, when a specific lane or lanes have not been so designated, any of those vehicles shall be driven in the right-hand lane for traffic or as close as practicable to the right edge or curb. If, however, a specific lane or lanes have not been designated on a divided highway having four or more clearly marked lanes for traffic in one direction, any of those vehicles may also be driven in the lane to the immediate left of that right-hand lane, unless otherwise prohibited under this code. When overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction, the driver shall use either the designated lane, the lane to the immediate left of the right-hand lane, or the right-hand lane for traffic as permitted under this code.
This subdivision does not apply to a driver who is preparing for a left- or right-hand turn or who is entering into or exiting from a highway or to a driver who must necessarily drive in a lane other than the right-hand lane to continue on his or her intended route.

Amended Ch. 843, Stats. 1988. Effective January 1, 1989.

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

The people involved in the accident could have been listening to the radio. A majority of people that are in auto accidents listen to the radio. My thought is that we should outlaw radios in cars and we would eliminate accidents.

I am also wondering if the mortorcyclist was wearing a helmet. It is said that helmets save lives. Maybe he wasn't wearing a helmet.

Another point about using a trailor on the highways in Southern California. Most lanes seem to be clogged with cars. Does it matter if a truck and a trailor are on the far left lane if traffic is packed? I am not saying that is the case with this wreck as I do not know the particulars of the event.

Something I would like to see go away is the "in the car makeover kits." I see women all the time applying makeup while driving on the freeway. I am not too sure how they do it. As a guy I can not multy task like that. Then again when I am in my car I enjoy the drive and don't have time for things like that. For some of you ladies I have to say it is fun to see you work so hard to look so good while you are driving around. I would prefer that you get up a little earlier and do that at home. Would hate to see that pretty face damaged in an accident.