Q. As I travel in various places that have sloping embankments on the sides of freeways, from Orange County to Los Angeles, I have seen terracing being done by homeless people. They dig into the sloping hill, including under freeway overpasses, that goes down to the freeway so that they can set up tents. I’m wondering how much this compromises the actual freeway design. My concern is how does this over the long term affect the bridges and roads? Does Caltrans check this out to ensure there is no compromise to the roadway or the structures of the freeways as well as the landscaping?
– Thomas Rubio, Carson
A. Yes.
In Orange County, for example, Caltrans has “noticed some general terracing below freeway underpasses” by homeless people, said Nathan Abler, a Caltrans spokesman, in an email. “(But) we have not encountered any significant terracing that would compromise the design or impact the roadway’s structural functionality.”
Caltrans does check out such concerns and would do any necessary repairs or restoration.
He asked that anyone in the state seeing a homeless encampment on Caltrans property to report it via the agency’s Customer Service Request form at csr.dot.ca.gov.
Q. Your last column regarding the Department of Motor Vehicles knowledge test was of interest to me. I didn’t realize all DMV offices might not have the option for the paper/pencil test. When renewing my license several years ago, the computer was unable to read my finger prints (my fingers are very smooth), so I had to take the test the old-fashioned way.
– Judy Badstuebner, Fullerton
A. The Ol’ Honkster couldn’t confirm last week that every DMV office offered the option, and told residents of Honkland he would return with the information.
A DMV spokesman, Ronald Ongtoaboc, kindly provided it for those who do go into a DMV office:
“The DMV encourages customers to take knowledge tests on the touchscreen terminals, this method reduces paper, protects against cheating and streamlines grading,” Ongtoaboc told Honk in an email. “If this method does not meet the customer’s needs, they are offered an audio test. If neither of these options are suitable, paper tests are available for all test types upon request from the customer.”
But, many can take the test or the eLearning seminar online; those 70 or older must pass the test or wend through the 45-minute seminar to renew their driver’s licenses.
HONKIN’ FACT: Sheriff’s deputies in Florida pulled over, guns drawn, a sedan on Interstate 75 last week that had been reported stolen. The 10-year-old driver and his 11-year-old sister hopped out. They had driven the first 200 miles on their trip to California. The girl told officers she was upset their mom– who had reported the car stolen and the children missing – had taken her electronic devices away for not behaving well. The Associated Press didn’t reveal how the family reunion went.
To ask Honk questions, reach him at honk@ocregister.com. He only answers those that are published. To see Honk online: ocregister.com/tag/honk. X, formerly Twitter: @OCRegisterHonk
