Could more speed limit signs on 15 Freeway through Cajon Pass improve traffic flow?

Q: Kenny Kiecolt of Hesperia is a longtime commuter through the Cajon Pass. He describes it as a “miserable place to drive through during rush hour and even at other random times and days,” with no alternative routes for drivers.

Kiecolt is referring to the 15 Freeway route that connects the metro areas and the high desert region of San Bernardino County.

He speculates that a lack of speed limit signs could be adding to the problem and suspects some drivers think the speed limit is 65 mph. It’s actually 70 mph through the pass, though he says many drive even slower than 65 mph.

Kiecolt asks if adding additional speed limit signs on both sides of the freeway in the Cajon Pass would improve traffic flow, by alerting more drivers to the speed limit and letting them know they can go faster.

A: Signs advising of the 70 mph speed limit in the pass are up already on both sides in Hesperia and San Bernardino (you can see them on Google maps). Some drivers are just oblivious to freeway signs, said Caltrans spokesperson Eric Dionne. That being said, most modern vehicles have GPS in their navigation system or Apple Car Play that show the speed limit of the road they’re on.

It’s unknown if more speed limit signs would help. Dionne suggested that Kiecolt fill out a Customer Service Request at https://csr.dot.ca.gov/ asking Caltrans Traffic Operations to conduct a study to see if adding more signs would be justified.

More blue lights

Q: Pat Carnathan of Menifee said he is seeing more and more blue lights on vehicles.

“Cars, trucks, motorcycles, big-rigs, etc. And I don’t mean those blue-ish headlights. Isn’t that illegal?” he asked.

A: It is illegal, and a vehicle owner could be cited for this. Driving public roads with flashing, colored, or non-standard lights that could be mistaken for emergency lights or hazard signals is illegal in California. Multicolored or flashing lights on a vehicle is prohibited by a few different California Vehicle sections, including sections 24003 and 25250; other sections of the law describe what color lights and headlamps are legal. The only exception to these laws is if the car is on private property or is moving inside a permitted parade — then it’s allowed.

Civilian cars, trucks and motorcycles cannot have blue exterior lights, including running lights, headlights, or tail lights. As for headlights: they must be white or yellowish-white, otherwise they are not legal.

Grammar question

Q: “Driver license” or “driver’s license:” Tom Barnhart of Upland said it seems the common usage today is “driver’s license” (singular possessive), and he wonders if this is proper grammar. He noted that it states “driver license” on the actual California document. Barnhart asked if it’s grammatically correct either way for a police officer to ask to see your “driver license” or “driver’s license.”

A: Both usages are acceptable and the terms can be used interchangeably.

For what it’s worth, about 20 states use the possessive “driver’s license” on their documents and the rest, including California, say “driver license.” It’s largely a matter of opinion and preference, and a fun little conversation for word nerds. We think “driver’s license” is the more common speaking usage than “driver license,” which is used to describe the type of license.

Do you commute to work in the Inland Empire? Spend a lot of time in your vehicle? Have questions about driving, freeways, toll roads or parking? If so, write or call On the Road and we’ll try to answer your questions. Please include your question or issue, name, city of residence, phone number and email address. Write ontheroad@scng.com or call 951-368-9995. Note that we may use material from letters or phone calls in future columns.