Q. It seems that freeway lane widths have become narrower, especially in construction zones. Is that true and, if so, has there been a corresponding uptick in side-swipe freeway traffic accidents?
– George Ransom, San Clemente
A. When all is perfect, a freeway lane is still 12 feet wide, George. But there are exceptions — including for the reason you pointed out.
“The Caltrans Highway Design Manual defines standard lane width at 12 feet wide,” Nathan Abler, a Caltrans spokesman based in Orange County, told Honk in an email. “Any exceptions to this standard must be approved by design engineers through a decision process to explain why the standard cannot be met.”
Of course, bridges and nearby structures and other stuff can put a crimp into the available space.
At times, lanes do skinny up a bit during construction to put more space between traffic and workers and their equipment, if engineers decide that is OK.
“The absolute minimum lane width is 10 feet, allowed in only the most necessary situations,” Abler said.
Honk asked the Orange County Transportation Authority about the lanes between the 605 Freeway and the 73. That agency — which must follow Caltrans’ guidelines — completed a project adding lanes there along the 405 Freeway late last year.
“Lane widths throughout those 16 miles vary between 11 and 12 feet wide, which is similar to how it was prior to construction,” said Megan Abba, an OCTA spokeswoman. “The two outside lanes closest to the shoulder are typically 12 feet wide to accommodate larger vehicles such as semitrucks.”
When Caltrans is tweaking a freeway’s path a bit, it tries to beef up any old, skinny lanes and make them 12 feet wide if possible, Abler said.
Honk checked around with various agencies, and so far he hasn’t found one that keeps tabs on collisions in regard to lane width.
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Q. Mr. Honk, I have been noticing a lot of protective coverings of license plates that are so dark you can’t read the number through the tinting. What’s with that? Anything?
– Jerry Collamer, San Clemente
A. Not sure what is going on, Jerry, but it is illegal to cover your license-plate number with anything — including clear plastic. Those particular violations, of course, are pretty common and likely don’t upset officers too much.
Brian Kinsey, an officer and spokesman for the California Highway Patrol out of the San Juan Capistrano station house, has seen the dark coverings, too, and he doesn’t know if drivers’ intent is for some sort of fraud, or maybe the motorists just like to tint stuff — front windows, which is largely illegal, headlights, license-plate coverings.
Drivers can get a fix-it ticket or a full-blown citation for having the license number covered, he said. When choosing, an officer would likely consider the motive — to just keep the plate tidy, or fraud? Perhaps the driver is trying to cheat tollways.
Kinsey did mention that the one area that can be slightly covered is over the registration tag with a special license-plate holder, to thwart tag thieves. But officers must be able to read the tag’s info.
SAD FACT: When Alexander Rodish, 55, was run over and killed Monday morning, July 22, by a tow truck on the 5 Freeway in San Clemente, he became the 194th Caltrans worker killed in the line of duty since 1921. Rodish, an equipment operator at a San Clemente maintenance yard, and a fellow worker had pulled to the shoulder to grab debris; the other employee suffered minor injuries. The previous line-of-duty death of a Caltrans worker was on Aug. 8, 2022, 70 miles or so east of Monterey Bay on a rural road (Source: Caltrans).
To ask Honk questions, reach him at honk@ocregister.com. He only answers those that are published. To see Honk online: ocregister.com/tag/honk. Twitter: @OCRegisterHonk
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