Dear Mahatma: There is a sign at the intersection of Mara Lynn and Shackleford roads that says eastbound traffic cannot turn right on red between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. When I obey, drivers behind me become agitated. Some even honk. What is the reason for this sign? -- Yvonne
Dear Yvonne: The city's manager for traffic engineering, Bill Henry, points out there's a day care center on that corner, and drivers turn right directly in front of the center's driveway. Before installation of the sign, drivers turning right would often not yield to oncoming traffic. The restriction during the time noted was put up to address this safety concern.
What you didn't ask, Yvonne, was what to do about agitated honkers behind you. The answer: Achieve a zenlike state of mind. Become one with the earth and sky. Honketh not, friends, lest ye be honked.
Vanity plate seen around town: YESOFCER.
To the Guru of All Things Road: What do THEY do with excess asphalt poured during construction? I drive Interstate 530 daily, and a whole lot of it is poured for detours. I hope it isn't dug back up and dumped in a landfill. -- Passer-by
Dear Passer-by: The Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department is the THEY in question. David Nilles, a spokesman for the department, said a couple of things about this.
First, that contractors and Highway Department road crews assiduously calculate the amount of asphalt needed. It's a money thing. Second, that excess asphalt it taken back to the plant from which it came and is recycled for another job.
Vanity plate seen on bright yellow pickup with Sylvester the Cat on the back: TWEETT.
Dear Drivetime Mahatma: Can anyone shed light on the reasoning for three-way stop signs at the intersection of Bryant Street and Indiana Avenue in Little Rock? There's not much traffic here. If I were asked to pick an intersection in Little Rock to be the least likely to have stop signs, this would be it. -- Curious
Dear Curious: Nat Banihatti, one of the city's traffic guys, tells us the stop signs were installed way back in 2008. The reason was "significant neighborhood discussions and meetings between city management and residents of the nearby area regarding safety concerns expressed by the neighborhood residents and the adjacent apartment complexes."
In other words, folks in the neighborhood wanted those signs.
Vanity plate seen on an Audi A8: PHD KID.
Dear Mahatma: What would it take to get a street sign that warns of a blind spot? Patricia Lane comes off Mississippi Street between Leawood Boulevard and Wingate Drive. Drivers going north on Mississippi can't see cars coming out of Patricia Lane until they're right on top of them. I'd love to see a sign that warns of this hazard. -- Doc Dana
Dear Doc: Above we name two of the city's traffic wizards. They can be reached at 379-1816. They do this sort of thing all the time. Keep us informed, please.
Mahatma@arkansasonline.com
Metro on 11/22/2014