Driver Seeks Police Eyes On Southern

CAN WE GET SOME POLICE PRESENCE OUT HERE? Russ Walker emails, “I am concerned about a rampant traffic situation. MANY people are turning from westbound Southern to southbound Eubank from the center lane on Southern, which is NOT a turn lane.”

Russ says, “I have personally witnessed three close calls, one of them being a motorcycle making the illegal turn and almost being taken out in the process. How can we alert APD to ask for some additional enforcement at this intersection before somebody gets hurt?”

Officer Tasia Martinez, public information officer for the Albuquerque Police Department, says “citizens with traffic concerns in an area can call 242-COPS for immediate assistance or file a periodic watch request at their local substation.”

CROSSING GUARDS SHOULD KNOW HOW TO PARK: Jake Spidle emails that around Oñate Elementary, “the main entrance/drop off point is at a T-intersection. One street, Brentwood Hills, is maybe a three-total-lanes street and the other, Crestline, is a very tight two-laner. Congestion — and potential danger — is severe at morning and evening rush times, and the worrisome congestion is unnecessarily exacerbated by the crossing guards parking their personal cars as close to the jammed intersection as possible. Just saving some steps, I guess.

“C’mon, folks! How about a little common sense? Why must they make much worse an already dangerous situation?”

According to state law, if there’s a stop sign or signal at that intersection, they shouldn’t. And Google Maps shows a stop sign on Crestline.

Statute 12-6-6.1 STOPPING, STANDING OR PARKING PROHIBITED IN SPECIFIED PLACES says, in part, that drivers shouldn’t park “within 30 feet upon the approach to any flashing beacon, stop sign, or traffic-control signal located at the side of a street.”

GETTING TO MVD JUST ISN’T THAT HARD: Cate Dixon has a response to a recent reader concern that MVD contract offices charge drivers who are 75 and older for license renewals, though those are free at state-run offices.

“I don’t know how far (the original writer) lives from a state MVD office. I don’t know how far I live from one. I do know that it is easy to find, easy to park, and easy to have my license renewed. I don’t have to stand in a ‘long line every year.’ MVD has a take-a-number system. There is usually a wait, but since I have to wait so many places I go — doctors, dentists, etc. — I always take reading matter wherever I go. The process itself is very fast and easy: have my photo taken — a very unflattering photo, especially since New Mexico requires people to take off their glasses — then go immediately to the window where I have a vision test and am issued my temporary license.

“These last few years I have noticed that older people (mostly women) complain about the cost of driving. They don’t, however, seem to complain about the cost of driving to visit friends, attend parties, take in cultural events and other entertainment, in fact, any of the places they want to go. Obviously, the increased cost of gasoline has affected all of us who are on fixed incomes, but it seems to be just one more thing to add to the list of complaints about anything they really prefer not to do.”

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? And T.K. writes “my character/upbringing impelled me to be considerate of my truly delightful neighbors; thus I installed air horns on each of my motorcycles over many years. Instant control over if and when I choose to announce my presence on the roads at the touch of a button! Cost? About $30 to $40 per bike as opposed to hundreds for after-market mufflers, whether mellow or obnoxiously loud.”

KNOW SOMEONE TO PAINT ADDRESSES ON THE CURB? Angelica asks via email “about house numbers being painted on the curb. I need to get mine re-painted but am looking for a reputable/licensed business or person who paints curb numbers.

“If you know of such business or person, please let me know. It is hit or miss if/when someone comes door to door and IF they are reputable and/or licensed.”

Readers?

Assistant editorial page editor D’Val Westphal tackles commuter issues for the Metro area on Mondays and West Siders and Rio Ranchoans on Thursdays. Reach her at 823-3858; road@abqjournal.com; P.O. Drawer J, Albuquerque, NM 87103; or go to ABQjournal.com/traffic to read previous columns and join in the conversation.
— This article appeared on page A6 of the Albuquerque Journal