Q. Whenever I see a Caltrans crews sweeping the freeway’s inner lanes, there are always one, but most times two, California Highway Patrol vehicles leading or following the procession. Why do they require one or two CHP officers to babysit them? What a total waste of money. If they need security, wouldn't a private security company be cheaper? Please find the answer to this one.
– Bill Scharing, Corona Del Mar
A. Honk gladly rounded up an answer for you, Bill, but he wasn’t so sure you were going to like it.
He spoke with Dave Richardson, a spokesman for Caltrans in Orange County, who explained the convoy:
Leading off, typically, will be a pickup, driven by a worker who can jump out and grab, say, a tire. No. 2 is a bigger truck, sometimes with a scoop that can grab, perhaps, a couch.
Then there is the sweeper, followed by a cop with flashing lights. The caboose is the vehicle with that giant cushion attached to its booty, meant to absorb the blow of any wayward motorist.
As to the officer, “He’s there for safety,” Richardson explained. “So people see the blue and red lights ... so they slow down.”
Only authorized emergency vehicles, not private security, can flash the red and blues.
Caltrans might add a second cop car in some areas.
Q. Dear Honk: If I loan my car to my licensed children or a friend, and they run a red light and are photographed, who’s driving record does it affect? If this happened, what steps are necessary to clear my record? Or do we now have to stop loaning our cars to friends?
– Larry Barstow, Buena
A. Sgt. Matt Craig, in charge of Santa Ana’s red-light program, explained how they do it there:
If the offender’s gender doesn’t match the vehicle’s registered owner, the violation will often be tossed. On the paperwork mailed to the registered owner’s home, options include reporting that you don’t know who the red-light runner was, or nominate a suspect.
The P.D., of course, can choose whether it wants to try and figure out who the red-light runner was.
Honkin’ fact: The average American with a car leaves $21.48 in it, according to a poll of 3,567 Americans by CouponCodesPro.com, a coupon website. New Yorkers averaged the least cash in the car, at $3.66. Californians were at the top end, supposedly, at $43.11.
Tip to thieves: The Honkmobile’s loose change is lucky to crack a dime. Heck, Mrs. Honk will tell you the Honkmobile isn’t even worth $43.11.
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