Getting back to 29th and J again, I’ve had a long standing debate with my friends on the meaning of the “No Turn on Red” sign (see photo) located in between the left turn onto J lane and the continue on to 29th Street lane.
While I am sure I could give my new friends over at the DOT a call to clarify, I thought I’d hassle you folks first. So what say you, Sacramento? In the interest of fun, I’ll refrain from offering up my interpretation of the sign. Also, if I don’t hear from anyone by the end of the day, I’m going to change the title to “To BOOBS! or not to BOOBS!” and see what happens…
Update (11/13/06): The sacbee addressed this very issue in today’s paper.
Update: Because we’re nothing at the Sac Rag if not complete nerds, please to review people’s exhibit B, an edited version of Google’s satellite image of the intersection in question.
The Sac Rag 
My interpretation is that the sign, especially given it’s placement, is being directed to the people who are in the rightmost lane (traveling south on 29th) and not the lane closest the freeway (freeway exit lane). There are two distinct lanes which under CA law could make a left on a red after stopping, but the one on the right (29th) could very easily cut into traffic that has a green light exiting the freeway. Hahaha. Confusing, no?
LikeLike
Well done, Olaf & Runnergirl. You are hitting both arguments right off the bat.
LikeLike
i thought it meant no left turn after you stop in the left-hand lane, because normally that would be OK like Olaf said but in this intersection it’s unsafe, i guess because it’s such a long intersection.
you can’t actually “turn” in the other lane, can you? your only option is straight onto 29th.
LikeLike
cooldmz, the left turn lane does sort of force you to make a left, while the “other” lane does not. However, most no turn on red light scenarios are at your standard 90 degree intersections much like our “other” lane. So one could make the argument that it is intended for anyone making a left turn in either lane. There is no “Left lane must turn left” sign. This logic would also allow for someone to think they could turn left on green from the “other” lane.
LikeLike
this is ripe for a “back and to the left” style Zapruder film to demonstrate possible scenarios.
LikeLike
Doesn’t it simply mean that you’re not to turn at all when the light is red? Doing so would result in a ticket as if you had gone straight at a red light (as my brother found out the hard way many years ago.) Similar intersections are at Sierra Blvd. at Fulton/Munroe and the J Street exit off northbound I-5.
LikeLike
You can’t turn on red because it’s a three-way intersection and you’ve got cars coming from crazy angles and they’re hard to see and easy to run into. Wait for the light to turn green because, really, where have you got to be?
My biggest problem with this intersection, other than than Quiznos, is that the lights are also at crazy angles and it’s not uncommon for cars coming from the freeway to go when they see the light for the folks coming down 29th street turn green. I’m surprised that cars aren’t just smashing into each other all day long at this light – if you could turn on red maybe they would be.
I guess there’s only one way to find out….
LikeLike
But can you turn left from lane #2 (see new photo) at all? No turn on red, let’s say, would imply you can turn on green.
LikeLike
My understanding is that you can only turn left from “Lane 1” and only when the light is green.
“Lane 2” has got to go straight down 29th, obviously, only on green.
“Lane 3” which isn’t labeled can turn left, again only on green, or they may go straight down 29th. This is probably the main reason why you can’t turn left from “Lane 1” on red – cuz soemone from “Lane 3” might turn left and it could be a mess.
I’m gonna have to drive it again to check this theory though.
LikeLike
This debate was settled today in the SacBee:
Once again, the Sac Rag is way ahead of the times. I’ll try to get a shot of it for our records.
LikeLike
Bummer for the new sign. I was hoping to keep up the “I just didn’t know that this sign was aimed at this lane” story if I ever got stopped.
BTW, it’s a joke to not be able to turn on red there, because anyone with any wherewithall while driving (which unfortunately is not very many, but regardless) can easily navigate a left hand turn on red…just pay attention. Especially later in the evening when the lights aren’t on a nearly quick enough timer IMO and there fewer cars near that intersection–for those of us always in a hurry. Also, I happen to be one of the people constantly convicing RonTopOfIt that the sign does not apply to the left most lane. Like you said…now settled!
LikeLike
speaking of transportation issues solved here being credited elsewhere, i noticed something funny in the Bee’s dot-dot-dot columnist Carlos Alcala’s column last week in my City insert…
Yeah, I remember that… and I remember some smartypants guy came in and corrected us. Wait a minute!! Jerk.
LikeLike
Can the next transportation problem to be solved be to ticket those who insist on driving on THE WRONG SIDE OF THE STREET to turn into Lyon Village off of Munroe, rather than making the u-turn at Fair Oaks Boulevard?
LikeLike
Those are everywhere, rg. And dangerous. The one that comes to mind is off Howe Avenue turning into (but not really) Chili’s.
LikeLike
yes, the Howe into Howe Bout Arden wrong way freakout is one of the most annoying things in town, driving-wise. why the folks who own Howe Bout Arden wouldn’t have pushed for a turn in from Northbound Howe is beyond me. making the U-turn is sometimes just as treacherous as the wrong-way-freakout since some reason people turning right from Eastbound Arden never seem to see you coming.
LikeLike