I read the letter from Lois Lyons about the new traffic signal at Zumirez and the need for a signal at Corral Canyon and feel the need to weigh in. I have used the intersection at Zumirez and PCH for several years during my commute to work. I was surprised and disappointed to see a traffic signal installed there. Unlike most people, I actually have to cross PCH going from one side of Zumirez to the other. With the former offset of both sides of Zumirez, this was a dangerous maneuver at that intersection. I still didn’t feel the need for another signal on PCH. Now, when I use the intersection, instead of waiting for a break in the traffic and going across, I have to wait for the signal to change even if there is zero traffic. Also, my arrival at the intersection ensures that the signal is tripped and that the traffic on PCH stops, even when not necessary, just for my one car to cross even when I didn’t need the traffic to stop. It also backs up traffic in front of the fire station at times.
Ms. Lyons made a convincing case for the need for a traffic signal at Corral Canyon and PCH. The problem with this is that there are similar cases to be made for many roads that come onto PCH. What about Latigo? How about Bonsall? There are many accidents there on that blind curve. The same can be said of Westward. What about Guernsey? With all of the traffic dropping kids off at Juan Cabrillo and the high school in the morning, surely Guernsey rates a signal. You can make a similar case for Escondido. Meadows Court is no less deserving as is Winding Way. Portshead is no picnic either.
If you put traffic lights in at every potentially dangerous street coming into PCH (and they are all dangerous) then Malibu will look like Irvine. Go drive on PCH in the Laguna/Newport Beach area and see if you like all those traffic signals better than what we have now.
Let’s reduce, not increase, the amount of traffic signals. This is Malibu, not Beverly Hills and not Newport Beach. Let’s do what we can to keep the country feel alive and well.
Rick Mullen