Home > On the Radar > Archives > 2009 > June > 02 > Entry
Police: Intersection short cuts are a ‘no no’
The Lufkin Police Department receives complaints from business owners on a daily basis about the traffic “cutting across” their parking lot to avoid an intersection, according to LPD Sgt. David Walker.
There are several locations around town where traffic becomes congested and traffic backs-up causing a line waiting for the traffic signals to cycle. A large number of drivers chose to enter a private parking lot and cut through to the intersecting street instead of waiting for the light to cycle and traffic to work through the signal light or stop sign.
Sec. 545.423 of the Texas Transportation Code strictly forbids shortcuts at an intersection.
“When drivers chose to make this type movement, pedestrians using the parking lot or business are endanger of being struck by a passing vehicle,” Walker said. “Cutting across a parking lot can result in a traffic accident and a $500 dollar fine. Slow down, you might save a life.”
Permalink | Comments (9) | Post your comment | Categories: Traffic
Comments
By Texas Citizen
June 3, 2009 6:50 AM | Link to this
$500 for cutting across a parking lot? I understand the reasons for not doing it, but why don’t they just cut off your arm or leg? That’s why our governments have gotten out of control…no brains!
What’s next? No spitting on the sidewalks….$500 fine?
By Island_Boy
June 3, 2009 4:59 PM | Link to this
Hahaha…”Texas Citizen”, are you speaking about the Federal or the State or the local governments…or all of the above? Seems that those in positions of political power actually fit the “form” we, as citizens of the US, seem to vote for every time, so who, exactly are to blame for putting this type into office in the first place. At least the elections in America are honest…try to go through an election here in the Philippines…the ballots are pre-made, pre-stuffed; awaiting for the “count” following the elction. Anyway, I, too, can see the value of laws concerning “cut-throughs” onto private business property before or at intersections, and I also can see the value of DETERRENTS for even thinking about doing it in the first place. Although, one glance around and one may get away with it for a time. The idea is to save about 10 seconds of driving time, and that’s it! Sounds very reasonable to me. Despite the risks! (Don’t take me seriously).
By Devin
June 4, 2009 9:38 AM | Link to this
$500 should be $1,000 I am so tired of people thinking they are more important than others. Better yet maybe we should give those people a big flag to put on thier cars and when we see them coming we can rush to get out of thier way AND bow down to them as they pass by. I dont have road rage - I have rude, better-then-you, I am more important than you, rage. Thia life we have is a wonderful life, slow down and enjoy it and remember YOU ARE NOT BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE and as a maker of fact you are proboly a lot lower and thats why you do the inconsiderate thing you do. Smile and be Happy, hug your wife and children.
By Island_Guy
June 4, 2009 5:40 PM | Link to this
I saw something on the “CI” (Crime and Investigation) channel once recently. The cops had a hard time trying to solve a case and prove evidence on a case until one smartie-pants detective noticed there was a security camera positioned on the building which lot was used as a getaway route for robbers who just murdered someone next door. Fortunately, the detective sought the tape from this camera system, discovering the date and approximate time of the crime, saw the getaway car moving through the parking lot out of a space next door. The camera’s angle picked up on the plate number, and model and make and year of the automobile. Crime solved. What I say here is, the police could need evidence of vehicles “cutting across” private business parking lots, and if you have a law on the books that prove a law has been broken, at least you have proof of the vehicle/s breaching the law. Then go after them with warrants or a visiting policeman at the house door to issue a ticket for breaking Section 545.423 of the Texas Transportation Code.
By mr big
June 4, 2009 8:37 PM | Link to this
remember the camera at the park on kurth drive? the police said that someone had to be a witness, so i guess a camera is no go at the park and is anywhere else.
By Island_Guy
June 9, 2009 4:29 PM | Link to this
“mr big”…seems the LPD need to get a handle on things. So, from the statement you made, the Lufkin Police Department actually needed a live, human witness to testify. No camera or recording systems can be entered into a material evidence factor? Seems to me, then, they can get rid of all cameras at bank ATM’s, at the police interrogation rooms…and can I go on? Someone in the city does not know anything about what they are talking about when it comes to evidence and which sources evidence can be derived from! Unless, of course, they meant to say that the camera was ineffective, as they could not see the perpetrator well enough to determine a fix on the person and who he/she was.
By keepyourchange
June 12, 2009 5:33 AM | Link to this
hey the other day i noticed two cops talking in kiwanis park (no doubt waiting to catch smokers) maybe they can set up a ‘no cutting thru parking lot team” to patrol just parking lots….seems you can buy all the drugs and steal all the 30 packs you want in lufkin..but DONT SMOKE IN PARKS OR CUT THRU PARKING LOTS..
By missellie
June 18, 2009 2:30 PM | Link to this
I guess I am sooo guilty! We often go to El Chico’s via Beards parking lot, because the feeder street is so messed up that you have to almost stop to get into that parking lot, and here comes some race jocky tearing along and nearly rear ends us !!!! You know they have to build up speed to 65 by the time they get from the light, heaven forbid that they not hurry. We never did this until they started all that construction ( I will love the changes if they in my life time get it done) I am sorry Mr Beard, but maybe someday I will stop at your store.
By Kelly
July 31, 2009 11:59 PM | Link to this
**Intersection of WHITE HOUSE DR. & S.CHESTNUT/58 IS IT ILLEGAL FOR PEOPLE TO TURN RIGHT THEN TURN AROUND IN SOMEONES DRIVEWAY TO HEAD BACK TOWARD TOWN INSTEAD OF WAITING AT STOP SIGN. ALMOST WITNESSED A WRECK TODAY WITH 4 DIFFERENT VEHICLES MAKING THIS TURN AND THEN TURNING AROUND IN THE DRIVEWAYS. ABSOLUTELY CRAZY!!!!