Q: There’s a dangerous three-way intersection in the Foothill Crossing Shopping Center in Los Altos on Homestead Road. I’ve almost been hit there a few times. People don’t stop at the intersection, which is between two parking areas and many shops, so I’m not sure who is responsible for the signage. Three corners meet adjacent to the Red Pepper Bar and Grill, 2 B Fit, and the Trader Joe’s parking lots. Two have the word STOP painted on the road at the intersection, the third is not marked. Many people drive through this intersection without stopping. To make this a safe intersection, all three corners should have stop signs instead of just the word stop painted on the road in two places. Who should I contact about this issue?
Thank you for writing a very practical and informative column and for all of the help that you provide.
— Janet Warrington
A: Start with the Los Altos Public Works Department, Engineering. This page shows their contact information, https://www.losaltosca.gov/publicworks/custom-contact-page/contact-public-works. This intersection may be on shopping center property, so Public Works may direct you to a contact there if need be.
Q: In order to renew my license, I needed to take the exam. I read in your column about others in the 70 and over age group and the difficult questions they had on the written exam at the DMV.
I signed up for the online course, which includes the exam. I set up an appointment at the Redwood City DMV to complete the process. I was there for about 45 minutes. The most time was spent waiting outside to be processed to enter. Then I went to two different stations, one to complete and sign online paperwork and do the eye exam and the other to have my photo taken and to finalize everything.
What a pain-free, easy way to renew!
— Lori McBride, Redwood City
A: It’s great it worked out so smoothly.
Q: You asked for good news driving stories. I have a Bolt EV. One of its many great features is that it supports one-pedal driving. It’s a big paradigm shift, in all ways positive. The car goes, or slows, with the tiniest effort. It saves money on brake pads, which never wear out. And it’s safer, because you take your foot off the pedal and the car slows instantly, saving a little time before hitting the brakes, but sometimes that’s enough time to make a difference. Of course, the brake pedal is fully functional, for screech-to-a-halt fast stops. It also saves energy. Instead of producing heat and particulates from friction braking, one-pedal braking fills the tank (the battery) back up.
— Doug McKenzie, Berkeley
A: A paradigm shift indeed.
Look for Gary Richards at Facebook.com/mr.roadshow or contact him at [email protected].