Q: In your long list of the most stolen cars in San Jose, almost all were older vehicles sold two decades ago. Why is this?

Frank Morales, Santa Clara

A: Most older models didn’t come with an alarm system or a kill switch. Newer cars are harder to steal since they have more components to keep the car from being stolen. If you have an older car, get an upgraded alarm system since the basic alarm on many older cars is garbage.

Q: Those red reflectors won’t even be noticed by an impaired driver. What is needed is spikes that puncture the tires of those entering a freeway the wrong way. ·

Frank Heinisch

A: That won’t happen as it could lead to crashes and then lawsuits. Big ones.

Q: On Park Avenue at Shasta, Race and Hanchett in San Jose, there are signs saying “Stop here on red except bicycles.” I can’t believe this suggests bicycles should not stop at a red light. What does this mean?

Allan Hughes

A: Bicyclists need to stop within the green-painted “bike box,” where they are more visible and can more easily turn left. It’s intended to provide bicyclists with a safe and visible way to get ahead of queuing traffic at a red light and to help prevent right-hook conflicts with turning vehicles at the start of the green light.

Anything else?

Q: When riding at a “T” intersection, if there is a stop sign or signal light in a bike lane on the top section of the T, is it necessary to stop if the bike lane doesn’t have any traffic crossing through it? I was told by some other cyclists that it isn’t necessary to stop. Your thoughts?

Allan Hughes

A: Your pals are wrong. State law requires people on bicycles to follow the same rules as people driving. Unless signs or pavement markings indicate otherwise, bicyclists are required to stop.

Q: I am OK with the bike lane and reduction of one lane in each direction on Hillsdale Avenue, but to compare it with the road diet on Lincoln Avenue is just plain ignorant. They are completely different roads with completely different purposes.

The Lincoln road diet works only because of the center turn lane. Eliminating left turns off Hillsdale to just a few locations will divert cars onto other streets. A center turn lane is safe. Please keep this feature on this busy street.

Dana Tucker, San Jose

A: The new left-turn lanes will be longer, but your worries are valid.

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