Editor,
In response to Joanna Felder’s “Bad News/Good News” letter of last week about the pedestrian traffic signal at LCAD, I could not agree more.
The general driving public does not understand the clear meaning of flashing yellow, red, and flashing red. Flashing yellow means caution, red means stop and flashing red means stop and then okay to go if clear.
The signal is very confusing, in addition to the warning signals ahead of the actual signal slowing traffic down. The signal is a consistent bottleneck and slows traffic daily in both directions.
I agree with Johanna, a stop light would be good solution at the entrance and it would be easier for the average driver to understand. I appreciate the speed of the new signal being put in addressing the unfortunate pedestrian death, but it is clear not enough thought was put into the right solution.
As we all know, in Laguna traffic continues to get heavier every year. Let’s solve this problem and help the canyon move again. Thank you.
Hoyt Bacon, Laguna Beach
I would like to reply to the two letters complaining about the “inconvenience” and “confusion” of the new crosswalk traffic signal on Laguna Canyon Road at LCAD. This much needed signal came in response to a tragic death of an LCAD student who was crossing in the crosswalk there. Drivers confused by the flashing yellow and red lights should seriously consider giving up driving their cars if they are not able to understand the simplest rules-of-the-road. Anybody ignorant of those basic driving rules is a threat to pedestrians and other drivers. The flashing red light is the equivalent of a stop sign, allowing traffic to flow freely when the crosswalk is not needed, and allowing traffic to resume flow once the crosswalk has been safely cleared by pedestrians. Replacing the flashing red light with a stop light would make the traffic flow problem in the canyon worse, as it would require a longer wait time before traffic could proceed.
I agree that the state of the pedestrian traffic signal at LCAD should be reevaluated. Yesterday, driving southbound, I made a sudden stop to avoid a young woman entering the crosswalk. Fortunately the car behind me managed to stop quickly also. I believe that either she inadequately pressed whatever buttons are required to activate the signal or simply decided to enter the crosswalk without looking for close oncoming traffic. At the first moment I saw her she was already in the crosswalk. She glared at me as if I had done something wrong but absent a functioning signal, it is illegal for pedestrians suddenly to enter a crosswalk in the face of oncoming traffic.