By Lucy Jackson
A traffic officer cited motorists Monday for ignoring the right turn only sign posted on Halkirk Street last week to prohibit left turns onto southbound Coldwater between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. on weekdays. The new rule, which affects commuters driving west on Ventura Boulevard, was instigated by a petition from the Studio City Residents Association in an effort to reduce traffic on Halkirk. Students who used to turn left before Coldwater to get to Halkirk must now turn at Coldwater, an inconvenience for many.
âI have to wake up and leave 15 minutes earlier to make up for the bumper to bumper traffic on Coldwater,â Jenna Berger â09 said. âTurning from Halkirk bypassed a lot of that.â
Many people have ignored the sign, prompting complaints to the police from residents. Between 8 a.m. and 9:20 a.m. Officer Terry Turner gave 12 tickets to people making the illegal left turn or driving up the center lane Monday. He said he doesnât expect many to heed the sign and that police officers will monitor Coldwater periodically.
âAs we say, I got you long before you saw me,â he said.
