Editor,
This is a highway traffic yield sign identical to that found at the corner of Forest Avenue and Broadway in Laguna Beach. From the DMV handbook it says: “A three-sided red “Yield” sign indicates that you must slow down and be ready to stop, if necessary, to let any vehicle, bicyclist, or pedestrian pass before you proceed.” Notice the wording: be ready to stop. It also says “Stop,” and refers to passing bicyclist or pedestrian cross traffic in your path.
Unfortunately this intersection is utilized like a freeway onramp rather than a multi-modal merge lane because Caltrans treats it so. Most motorists accelerate merging left instead of looking right to heed the yield sign. Whether or not Caltrans meets its mandates for Complete Streets by accommodating all road users safely, we road users remain responsible for one another by complying with well-intended but misplaced signs and impotent rules.
Les Miklosy, Laguna Beach
