Yuma has major traffic problem

The city of Yuma says we have a traffic problem. It seems there's a lot of congestion and traffic doesn't move as freely as it should. My, now isn't that a surprise! Let me review the problem as I see it. I'm using 4th Avenue and 24th Street as an example. That intersection, as others, has double lanes and four special lanes for free right turns.

Drivers making a left turn on a green arrow will invariably make their left turn into the right lane - illegal and citable. Those making a free right turn are turning into the left lane, also illegal and citable. At times, those in the free right turn lane refuse to take their free right turn. They are not required to take a free right but by not doing so, they are causing traffic back up behind them.

When taking a free right turn, it is not necessary for both lanes to be free of traffic. Only the right lane must be free on oncoming traffic. Too many people will wait for both lanes to be free of traffic before turning or totally refuse to turn until the light is green.

I guess they don't understand that the right turn only lane allows them to a free right turn. Are you aware that cars turning left and cars taking a free right can turn simultaneously? That's why there are two lanes and also it's in your driver's test.

I called the Yuma police traffic division to review my concern over illegal drivers and was informed that the police department was very firm on illegal turning and they cite all violators. During that call I was sitting at 4th Avenue and 24th Street. I told the officer I was witnessing cars making illegal turns. In less than 30 seconds, seven out of nine cars made illegal turns. I told the officer, so much for firm enforcement and a zero tolerance.

A couple of months ago I spoke to another officer (who will go nameless) about California stopping left and right turns. This officer informed me in every case they would cite (zero tolerance) a car for not coming to a full four-tire stop. This generally is referred to as a California stop.

I then reviewed illegal left and right turns and his answer was "we take that on a case-by-case basis because our own officers don't make proper turns." I guess they call that selective enforcement. If our own officers don't know the rules of the road, how can they protect us from dangerous drivers?

In answer to Bob Larsen's recent letter to the editor, the definition of tailgating is someone telling you to either speed up or get over because you are going much slower than the posted speed limit and are causing traffic congestion.

The definition of road rage is good, knowledge drivers having to put up with unknowledgeable drivers.

This isn't just the problem of the police department. Each and everyone of us can police our own driving habits and try and do what's right in moving our traffic more systematically through the city.

Also, radio, television and newspapers can do public service announcements reviewing proper driving procedures, i.e., here's your driving tip of the day and here's a good driving lesson to follow.

GARY LEE

Yuma