More complaints about DMV renewals — and a suggested solution: Roadshow
Plus: There's an easy fix to this infuriating San Jose traffic problem, a reader says.
Q: To avoid late DMV renewals, I suggest you log in to dmv.ca.gov, create an account and set all your vehicles up there. They will send you an email for each renewal. All renewals can be done online. I did after I had to pay a hefty late penalty for a renewal where the paper never arrived.
John Beck, San Jose
A: Sounds like a great way to go. Thanks for the feedback.
Q: The DMV might be sending out registration notices on time, but they are sure way behind on issuing the new registration and sending the tags. I mailed them a check on March 8 that was not cashed until March 31. I am still waiting for the new tags.
Tom Warney, Milpitas
Q: Hang in there. Your tags should be arriving any day.
Q: You stated that rounding up and placing Japanese Americans in internment camps during WWII was shameful! The Japanese murdered maybe 20 million Chinese. Between the Japanese and Germans in WWII, there were 40-50 million people killed, now that is shameful.
Tom Roberts
A: Yes, it was. And the U.S. acknowledged how wrongly it had treated its own citizens when it approved reparations for those Japanese American citizens who were hauled off to internment camps.
Q: There is a frustrating problem with an easy solution. On westbound Fruitdale at Meridian, there are three lanes. The left two are left-turn-only lanes onto Meridian and the far right lane is for cars continuing on Fruitdale. Routinely, drivers in the middle lane think they can go straight, so they wait for the left-turn arrow light to end, and the green light to begin. Drivers in cars behind them must then wait through the whole intersection cycle before they can complete their left turn.
If you look very closely, you can see steam rising from the drivers who are trapped behind these confused fellow drivers. The simple solution would be to post signs indicating that there are two left-turn lanes and one go-straight lane. Problem solved, frustration and noise pollution from the honking horns abated.
Allan Berkowitz, San Jose
A: Good news. When Fruitdale Avenue from Southwest Expressway to Race Street is getting sealed this year to maintain the pavement, city engineers will add your changes to plans for striping and signage.
Q: Thanks to Nancy James for suggesting the online AARP class. I strongly recommend it. I also think the DMV does a decent job with vision tests, written tests, and even behind-the-wheel tests.
Jim Cauble, Hayward
A: Thanks for the kudos for the AARP course and DMV testing. I’m sure they will be much appreciated.
Look for Gary Richards at Facebook.com/mr.roadshow, or contact him at mrroadshow@bayareanewsgroup.com.