Drivetime Mahatma

Fair Park hogs circle, driver says

Dear Mahatma: I go through the new roundabout on Fair Park Boulevard at Zoo Drive several times a week. Each entrance has a yield sign. I assumed that meant that drivers would take turns entering the roundabout like they do at a four-way stop. I know a driver is not supposed to enter if a vehicle is already in the roundabout. So I sit on Zoo Drive while drivers entering from Fair Park never stop. What are the rules? -- Perplexed

Dear Perplexed: We feel your pain, caused by a preponderance of traffic from Fair Park and much less from Zoo Drive, but about all that's possible is to recite the fundamentals.

First, look to the left and yield to vehicles already in the roundabout. If the roundabout has more than one lane, yield to both.

Second, once a gap in traffic appears, merge into the roundabout and proceed to your exit.

Third, always look for pedestrians and use a turn signal before exiting.

Could be worse. Before the roundabout was built, Zoo Drive had stop signs and traffic on Fair Park went on and on and on ... .

Like every other change in traffic patterns and signage, it takes time for drivers to adapt, as you will, too.

Dear Mahatma: I would not want to be in the position to have to panhandle to survive but have a comment about panhandlers at freeway exits. As I waited for the light at the John Barrow Road exit from westbound Interstate 630, I noticed the two panhandlers who have been there lately were missing. In their place was a scattering of food wrappers and empty plastic bottles. Is this the case at all the exits frequented by the panhandlers? Who cleans up the mess? -- Cathy

Dear Cathy: We don't know about all the exits, of which there are many.

But the trash has to be, or should be, picked up by someone. That someone is often the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department.

The agency's spokesman, the indefatigable David Nilles, said that in 2012, it spent more than $4.8 million and 100,000 man hours picking up 58,536 cubic yards of trash on 100,000 acres of right of way.

In clutter there is opportunity, in the Adopt-A-Highway program. Since 1987, Nilles said, more than 2,500 organizations and individuals have adopted stretches of highway in order to pick up litter along their mile.

Readers can call (501) 569-2227 to get more information on adopting a highway.

Dear Mahatma: In North Little Rock. At a light next to a police officer. Watched someone blatantly run a red light right in front of the officer (and me). No response. No wonder people in central Arkansas run red lights with impunity. -- Dadgummit

Dear Gum: All we can say, based on our knowledge and experience, that such a thing diminishes the credibility of law enforcement. And without credibility, the emperor has no pants, to mangle a folk tale.

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Metro on 05/27/2017

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