I agree. There are other places in addition to the turn into Lot 10 where
one must violate the diamond lane to make a right turn. E.g., the turn
into the lot next to the university center. I have thought about this and
wondered whether the diamond lane shouuld be the left lane. But there
would be similar problems if that change was made. I think that the police
are going to have to be reasonable about this. They will just have to
accept the fact that some of us are going to move into the diamond lane a
bit early. Otherwise, there could be quite a few collisions. The more I
think about it I doubt if the diamond lane is worth it. It doesn't seem to
slow down traffic which is the bigger problem.

Mike Russell

On Sun, 18 Nov 2001, jsecrest wrote:

> I find that lane dangerous for another reason--many people are turning right
> to get into the parking lot, so if one is observing the diamond lane
> instruction, it means many people are having to change lanes in a short
> distance to get into the parking lot and/or park on the street. So, whether we
> are following the law or not, it is a dangerous situation. Janet
> >===== Original Message From Richard Rice <[log in to unmask]> =====
> >I had intended to bring up a new and potentially dangerous traffic
> >situation at last week's faculty meeting, but forgot. I have brought the
> >problem to the attention of Chief Rhan, who urged me to share it with
> >faculty and staff, who might also wish to pass it on to our students.
> >
> >The diamond lane on Fifth Street, as the sign suggests, is only for buses
> >and bicycles, or for drivers pulling in to park or to turn right into Lot
> >10 as many of us do each morning. It is not an express lane.
> >
> >Most mornings at least one car passes me on the right in the diamond lane,
> >and last Monday three went by at a high rate of speed (I know because cars
> >in the center land were observing the speed limit). There is a great
> >potential for accidents here as students get out of their cars or attempt
> >to use the cross walk, vision blocked by cars stopping in the center lane.
> >
> >The UTC police may be watching this situation in the future. So please
> >avoid a tragic accident or a ticket by observing the traffic regulations.
> >
> >Richard Rice
>