Q. Dear road-wise Honk: I see so many drivers turning in front of pedestrians in crosswalks or right behind them – which I know is wrong. I was wondering what is the law pertaining to one-, two-, four- and six-lane roads?
– Dale Kenny, Orange
A. The law is about judgment, and ultimately any decision would be made by a judge or a court commissioner, Dale. Officers have discretion as to when to cite, too.
Under state law, both driver and pedestrian must use caution.
If balding Honk is slowly approaching you in the crosswalk, you could go sooner than if it were a boy or girl who looks like they might break out in a sprint. Or in reverse, just wait until there is no chance they will return and get in your path.
Various other factors, including the street’s width, come into play.
“You drive slowly through,” said Lt. Phil McMullin of your town’s finest. “You don’t have to wait until they are all up on the sidewalk. …
“It’s always about exercising due care and safety.”
By the way, Dale, if you know of a trouble spot in Orange, punch in the P.D.’s non-emergency phone number and let officers know. The lieutenant says they like to give extra attention when possible to problem areas. Elsewhere, other police agencies would likely appreciate such calls, too.
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Q. Honk: You’ve probably had an article about this, but I couldn’t find it; I even looked in the archives back to December 2022. A person goes to the Department of Motor Vehicles to renew a driver’s license. The person fails the test three times. Can he or she start over online, do eLearning and then go to the branch for the vision test and photo? Or, is it once you start in the DMV, you have to continue through the DMV, and the online option is not available?
– Jim Fuchs, Costa Mesa
A. Sometimes, like now, it is best for Honk to just step out of the way and let someone else explain.
(He has not tackled such a question before.)
“Currently, each application allows you to attempt the (knowledge) exam three times,” Chris Orrock, a DMV spokesman, told Honk in an email.
“If you fill out an application at a field office you must attempt each try at an office,” he said. “You can go to a different office, but all three attempts must be completed in the office. If you choose to take the knowledge exam online, and fail the first two attempts, the third attempt must be completed in an office.
“Once the application is exhausted, the customer did not pass the knowledge exam after three attempts, a new application is required and the customer can choose in which form: in office, online, or eLearning.”
The eLearning option takes 20 to 30 minutes for most on a home computer. There are seven quizzes, but driver’s can’t fail.
HONKIN’ FACT: A license-plate sequence spotted in Tucson: “DO UR HW.” Must be a teacher, right?
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