Q. Do you know if there are any plans to mitigate the traffic congestion and backup on the 5 Freeway going south from San Clemente through Oceanside? Are there any agencies that would work toward widening the freeway, or at least adding a carpool lane? In an emergency, the freeway becomes a parking lot with no additional exit alternatives. Please advise.
– Tom Gudauskas, San Clemente
A. Caltrans officials are well aware of the congestion on the 5 across Camp Pendleton, especially on weekends.
There is a blueprint of sorts by San Diego County transportation officials calling for managed lanes on the 5 over the U.S. Marines’ base. Maybe between the north and south lanes.
“I think that the median has room for one lane in each direction,” said Steve Welborn, a Caltrans spokesman.
Should support and funding be locked up at some point, those lanes could be for carpoolers, just buses, a tollway, or perhaps for – with improved technology – automated vehicles with software allowing them to drive extremely close together.
However, any added lanes are very likely years, if not decades, off.
South of Camp Pendleton on the 5, though, some carpool lanes have been added and more are planned that could help ease congestion farther north.
Yes, along that scenic stretch across Pendleton next to the mighty Pacific Ocean, there are few options to skirt blocked traffic. But the Marines at times lend a hand.
“There have been instances where a traffic collision blocks all lanes of traffic and because there are no exits, Camp Pendleton opens its roadways to alleviate congestion,” Welborn said.
Q. A lot of us ordinary folks share the frustration of a recent Honk reader who wondered why so many Tesla owners get away without front license plates. But how do they get off of the dealer’s lot without a front-plate bracket and a printed temporary license on the front and the back? I thought these were Department of Motor Vehicle mandates imposed on a new-car dealer. Am I wrong?
– Wally Roberts, San Clemente
A. Honk has heard about dealers tossing license plates into the trunk, probably with snap-on plate holders, or having the new car owner sign some sheet saying he or she knows the law requires the plates even if the car is leaving the lot short one or both of them.
The bottom line is when the car hits the streets, it is the car owner’s responsibility.
“When you hit the public roadways, you have to have (permanent) license plates or temporary plates – that is what the law says,” said Duane Graham, an officer and spokesman for the California Highway Patrol out of the Westminster station house.
To ask Honk questions, reach him at [email protected]. He only answers those that are published. To see Honk online: ocregister.com/tag/honk. Twitter: @OCRegisterHonk
