O Wise One: I've always heard the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department won't allow a traffic signal on a private drive, since proliferation of such signals would impede traffic. How did the Kroger store on Arkansas 10 get a signal? Who paid for it? -- Watching the Waivers
Dear Watching: This question allowed The Mahatma to act like a real reporter by using the state Freedom of Information Act. Usually, we just sit here and pretend.
A Freedom of Information request yielded two documents. The first is a permit given by the Highway Department to Little Rock by which the city was "authorized to install or modify a traffic control device at the location specified below: Intersection of Hwy. 10 & Kroger Drive," dated April 10, 2013.
The second is a full page of legalese that starts out with the immortal words: "Now therefore, in accordance with ..." Actually, in accordance with seven conditions, one of which is that the signal be erected at no cost to the Highway Department. Another condition is that the work is done in conformance with the Book of Traffic Wisdom. That is, the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices. This is dated April 22, 2013, and is signed by Mayor Mark Stodola, whose handwriting is really bad.
Conformance means justify -- does the intersection have sufficient traffic volume, turning movements, pedestrian traffic. Bill Henry, the city's traffic engineering manager, says the intersection meets the requirements for signalization.
Henry says Kroger paid all costs. He estimated those costs at $177,000.
Dear Mahatma: What are the laws about handicap placards? I work with someone who uses a placard that belongs to her brother and parks in handicap spots. There's nothing wrong with her. -- Peeved
Dear Peeved: Yours is one of three similar questions that came in this week. Must be the heat. One asked for a comparison of this state's handicap parking rules versus Florida's. Dude, we can hardly keep up with Arkansas.
The third made a crack about a driver whose handicap was "the inability to push herself away from the table." Really, now.
State laws on who may properly apply for and use a handicap plate or placard basically boil down to: If a doctor certifies that a driver is handicapped, the state will give that driver a plate or placard. No one who is not handicapped may use that plate or placard to park, unless the handicapped person is in the vehicle.
Penalties can be serious. Arkansas Code Annotated 27-15-305 allows for a fine of not less than $100 or more than $500 for the first offense. For second and subsequent offenses, that rises to $250 up to $1,000. Plus towing and impounding fees, and court costs.
There are 81,353 handicap plates currently issued, plus 706 handicap plates for motorcycles.
Vanity plate seen on a BMW: NUFFCED.
Vanity plate seen on a red Corvette convertible: TOP LIS.
Metro on 06/21/2014