WILDOMAR: New median giving motorists fits

Drivers have smashed into it, driven over it and high-centered their cars on it

By AARON CLAVERIE -- Staff Writer | Friday, March 28, 2008 1:47 PM PDT ∞

A big gouge can be seen in the newly built asphalt median on Central Avenue across from Wildomar Elementary School. The median was designed to solve one set of traffic problems, but has created a different set, residents say. (Steve Thornto/Staff photographer)

WILDOMAR ---- A six-inch high, four-inch wide black median that was supposed to improve traffic conditions at a busy Wildomar intersection is instead giving some motorists fits.

The asphalt median was poured by Riverside County crews earlier this month to prevent drivers from making an illegal left turn from the westbound lane of Central Street into the parking lot at Wildomar Elementary School, located at the southwest corner of Palomar and Central streets.

Parents waiting to make the turn were queueing up and blocking traffic headed south on Palomar, said Lawrence Tai, a county traffic engineer.

While the median has solved that problem, a whole new set has been created.

Drivers who don't know the median is there are smashing into it. Two elderly motorists have high-centered their cars on it. People are trying to drive over it.

Many of the reflectors that were affixed to the top of the median have been sheared off by all of the chassis-scraping activity.

The proof is visible in the scars on the median and the bits and pieces of reflectors scattered in the street.

"It's every day. Every day, there are problems," said Veronica Hernandez, owner of Casita Restaurant, which sits on the northwest corner of the intersection. One of the elderly women who got her car stuck on the median had to have her car towed off it, Hernandez said.

On Wednesday night, a police officer making a turn smashed into it, she said.

While all that commotion is problem enough, Hernandez said the median also is cutting into her business.

Before it was installed, patrons would make a left turn from the eastbound lane of Central into the parking lot tucked behind her restaurant.

With the median, Wildomar residents in the mood for a carne asada burrito have to make a left on Palomar, find a place to make a U-turn and head back south on Palomar to the restaurant. Some patrons are parking in the lot used by a nearby day spa, which isn't making the owners of the spa happy, Hernandez said. Others are just not stopping by anymore, which isn't making Hernandez happy.

Tai, who has been notified of the complaints, said the county is working to make the median more visible for motorists by adding reflective markers. The median also will be shortened to give more room to the motorists turning left onto Central from the northbound lanes of Palomar.

Regarding the restaurant access issues, Tai said traffic engineering can sometimes be a double-edged sword.

Sheryl Ade, a member of the Wildomar city council-elect, said something needs to be done about the situation.

"It's a public safety issue. It's a matter of doings things right," she said while standing on the sidewalk in front of the school Thursday afternoon. "Did they think? They couldn't have been thinking."

Before the February election, when Wildomar residents voted to incorporate the area on July 1, anyone upset about the median might have called the county to complain. Ade said that if a resident didn't know who to talk to or how to navigate the county's phone system, the complaint might have gone unheard. Since the election, residents have been calling the five members of the council-elect when these sorts of issues arise.

"There are definitely more people calling now," she said.

Gary Andre, a contractor and building inspector, said the problems at the intersection are exacerbated by the behavior of parents dropping their kids off or picking them up from school.

"People need to be more responsible," he said.

Talking about ways to make the median more visible, Hernandez said it should be painted yellow or white.

Andre, joking, said a "vivid pink" might be nice.

Tai wasn't keen on either idea, saying there could be a chemical reaction if the median is painted.

Contact Aaron Claverie at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2624, or aclaverie@californian.com. Comment at www.californian.com.

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Pre-Registration Comments[-]Go to Top

resident wrote on Mar 28, 2008 6:55 AM:This is not a "median". . it is a CURB in the middle of a street! ! !

Murrieta Resident wrote on Mar 28, 2008 7:49 AM:They have one of these on Clinton Keith too. I was wondering how many people run into them. Why are they black? They blend right in to the street. This must be a lot cheeper than a cement one. I think all these people who have damaged their cars should be contacting the Riverside County's attorneys office. Then maybe the county would spend a few more dollars and put in proper medians

Dave wrote on Mar 28, 2008 7:59 AM:A chemical reaction if the median is painted?!?

Come on, don't be ridiculous. Why isn't there a chemical reaction with all the lines painted on the roads?

It doesn't apply wrote on Mar 28, 2008 10:47 AM:to me is the attitude most people have. If you see the reflectors and ignore them then you're going to have a problem. Ok, so curb barrier is painted black, but, what do the reflectors mean???? Duh! Guess you need a sign that says in big bold letters, NO LEFT TURN, DO NOT CROSS BARRIER

Dawn in Wildomar wrote on Mar 28, 2008 11:03 AM:When I saw the median the first time, I was more than happy. Sitting behind all the cars waiting to make an illegal left turn into the school was way out of line.
These people that damaged their cars, should also be ticketed for making an illegal turn. Learn the laws of the road, and you won't damage your car.

Wildomar Resident wrote on Mar 28, 2008 11:05 AM:Seriously, it does not blend into the street that much. I had been out of town for a week, came back and it was installed, it is beyond obvious!! Maybe drivers should just pay more attention to the road and whats ahead of them, instead of their cell phones or whatever else is distracting them. Now it is a sad fact that its cutting into the restuarnts business but maybe the county could look at making a U-turn leagal at that corner or something!!!

WILDOMARTIAN wrote on Mar 28, 2008 1:28 PM:You could have an army tank as the median and the moms yaking on their cell phones will still run into it!

Suggestion to the neighoring stores: Make some money charging $5 to park in your lot while they pick up their kids.

i agree with dawn! wrote on Mar 28, 2008 5:48 PM:and the other two comments under hers!
ignorance is no excuse
for one its daylight when these parents are picking their kids up
maybe if they would get off of their cell phones and look at the road in front of them they would see this large "curb"

not to mention wrote on Mar 28, 2008 5:50 PM:the double yellow line down the middle of the street which means do not cross! it couldnt possibly be painted any more visible either...everyone learns in driving school what left turn medians are and what no turn medians are
this one is obviously and no turn median

how about... wrote on Mar 29, 2008 9:55 AM:officer presence at the time of dropping off & picking up the children at school...I am sure no one wants a ticket for their stupidity especially while their child is in the car...that would truly be humiliating in itself. I personally avoid that area as if it were plaque ridden during those times of the day, the people who pick up these children are absolute idiots behind the wheels of vehicles. I am serious when I state that an officer or two would be quite beneficial in that area at those times of day...just think of the revenue it would bring in those agencies...not to mention, perhaps it would enlighten the drivers to their ignorance in the matter. I hope that all the cell phone users begin to get tickets while on the phone & driving as soon as the law comes into effect, it is one of the most dangerous things we have done to ourselves & our children, put the phone down or use hands free (although that too is distracting)...your child deserves your undivided attention.

Renae wrote on Apr 3, 2008 12:11 PM:If a driver can't see the median then they shouldn't be behind the wheel!!! Come on people how can you miss it? I wish we would have been given a heads up before it was installed but it was NEEDED!!! Before & after school was a NIGHTMARE for all involved! I'm still laughing about the cop running into it!!! Hmmm he musta been on his cell phone!!! As for the restuarant... ... If your food is that good then they won't mind making a u turn.

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