Q. On the memorial signs on our freeways for our fallen officers, is there any reason why they do not have the “end of watch” phrase on them? I’m pretty sure the signs out there now cannot have it put on because of the cost, but perhaps the memorial signs in the future can have that added. It’s a sad commentary, but we will have fallen officers in the future.
– Carole M. Fanta, El Monte
A. That, Carole, is one of the best ideas to come Honk’s way.
Ever.
The term “end of watch” traditionally refers to the time a police officer ends his or her daily shift, and police agencies also use that phrase to refer to the day an officer was killed.
After such a death, police agencies often circulate on social media the department photo of the officer with that term and the date — and that date really brings home the finality of our loss.
But the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices says the legend on such state highway signs is limited to the honoree’s name, including if desired a nickname marked off with quotes, Nathan Abler, a Caltrans spokesman, passed along to Honk. This follows federal guidelines.
(So the sign will have just the rank and the name before, say, “Memorial Highway.”)
Lawmakers, however, could certainly change our ways, Carole, and Honk for one believes seeing “End of Watch” and the date below a fallen officer’s name on a sign would more clearly drive home what he or she gave up for us.
Of course, Honk is only behind this if the fallen officer’s family and department are as well.
Q. Mr. Honk: Recently I noticed a change in the bike lanes in Placentia. Where the bike lanes used to be separated from the roadway by a single, solid white line, now there are two white lines with hash marks between them. At intersections, the lines open up and there are green stripes on the bike lane. I assume that this is to allow for right turns. However, these double-line lanes do cross near driveways into strip malls. I have always understood that one cannot cross double white lines connected by a cross hatch as it is considered an island, in which case one would not be able to enter the mall. What say you?
– Ken Houghton, Yorba Linda
A. Honk says he needs some direction on such markings, too, Ken, so he reached out to Placentia officials.
“The double white lines … provide a safe buffer between bicyclists and vehicles,” Kyra Tao, the city’s transportation manager, told Honk in an email.
“The comment about drivers not crossing double-white lines is correct according to the (California Vehicle Code),” Tao said. “Drivers should not enter the bike lanes by crossing the double white lines except when turning into or out of a driveway or private road.”
Green, in this case, means be especially careful.
“The bike lanes painted in green at intersections or highly used driveways provide high visibility so that all road users, including motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians, can easily recognize the bike lane,” Tao said.
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
