Q: I was going from San Diego to Los Angeles International Airport. I took the 73 Toll Road and then joined the 405 Freeway, putting me in the left-hand lane and driving in what I thought was the carpool lane as I had three in the car. That led to my transgression — all of a sudden, I realized I was on the 405 Express Lanes, obviously too late to exit because of the plastic sticks. Do you have any information that can help with the ticket I received for this? I exited at the first possible opportunity, after already having paid for the 73 shortcut. Any info to fight this unfair ticket would be appreciated!
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– Dave Lovejoy, San Diego
A: Armed with the Violation Notice Number and license-plate number, an unhappy driver can dispute a charge at 405expresslanes.com by going to the Violations tab.
If that doesn’t go your way, you can request an administrative review hearing before the bill ends up with a collections agency, and if you are now 0-2, you can appeal to Superior Court.
By the time Honk caught up with Dave, he had solved the problem.
He had given a jingle to customer service and the clerk told him she would waive the first-time violation — so he wasn’t on the hook for the $25 fine, just the $1.15 toll. Dave doesn’t have the required transponder that allows the entity to get the toll.
Happy customer.
If a customer makes a mistake, the first violation fee will be waived, said Joel Zlotnik, a spokesman for the 405 Express Lanes.
“We understand that people can make mistakes, and we are always happy to work with them if that is the case,” Zlotnik said. “We want anyone who uses the Express Lanes to have a good experience.”
On that tollway, vehicle owners without transponders can be found via license-plate numbers.
Q: Hello Dr. Honk: I live near a major intersection where there are occasional crashes resulting in debris, including car parts and broken safety glass. I’ve noticed that most of the car parts are picked up or moved to the curb, but rarely, if ever, is the broken glass cleaned up. I walk through this intersection daily, and while I haven’t been injured, I have taken home small bits of glass in my sneakers. Who is responsible for this cleanup?
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– Chuck Witt, Riverside
A: “All tow companies are supposed to clean up,” Detective Steven Espinosa of Riverside P.D. said.
In fact, he pointed out, a state law says so.
Cities, such as Riverside, often have tow-truck companies contracted to remove the vehicles and debris.
“If we know which PD rotation tow company responded to the scene, we have notified them in the past to return,” the detective said.
Or a city crew might come out and get rid of the debris, especially if it wasn’t known which tow company had the call.
So, Chuck, a resident could call the non-emergency 311 line or use the 311 app to report that someone’s cleanup skills weren’t up to snuff.
HONKIN’ FACT: Some are uncomfortable with the thought of getting into a Waymo taxi without a driver (Not Honk, he is a fan). Tesla’s gold Cybercabs might really make those folks queasy. Those driverless taxis rolled out in Austin, Texas earlier this month without pedals and a steering wheel.
To ask Honk questions, reach him at [email protected]. He only answers those that are published. To see Honk online: ocregister.com/tag/honk. Twitter: @OCRegisterHonk
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