Q: Dear Honk: I have been driving the 5 Freeway through Orange County and down into northern San Diego County since my college days (class of ’68). At one point, on the northbound side approaching the San Onofre truck scales and the U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint, an extra, adjacent lane was constructed to the far left. The mystery lane is divided off from the other lanes with cones, plastic posts and then a low-lying barrier. In all those years since it was built, I have never seen it used. Can you please tell us what the original purpose of the lane was and why it isn’t utilized?
– Gordon Calac, Irvine
A: Yes.
Called the Pre-enrolled Access Lane, or PAL, it might have been the only one in the country when put in back in 2001.
The goal was to allow qualified drivers to bypass slowing down for Border Patrol agents who glance into vehicles and might ask questions. Applicants filled out paperwork proving U.S. citizenship or immigration status and detailing their employment, residency and auto insurance. Winners received transponders for their vehicles so officials knew to not chase them down.
Kind of reminds you of how Real ID works for domestic flights, right?
When there was a hefty backup at the checkpoint, five miles south of the Orange County border, it was estimated PAL saved five to eight minutes.
Commercial trucks didn’t qualify, because they went through the adjacent weigh stations.
Then, in March 2006, the five-year experiment was axed because not enough people were using the lane.
Sean Emery, an ace courts reporter for the Southern California News Group, reported back to Honk what he saw the other day, and nothing has changed for years:
Traffic cones and electronic message boards saying, “LANE CLOSED” tell motorists PAL is off-limits.
Years from now, added lanes may go along the median of the 5, requiring some sort of reconfiguration — but for now, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has control of the lane, said Steve Welborn, a Caltrans spokesman.
Honk reached out to federal officials, and he will tell readers the future fate of the late PAL when he learns it.
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A: A swipe of the magnetic strip on the back of your license provides to the card-swipe machine …
… the same info that is on the front of your license, said Chris Orrock, a Department of Motor Vehicles spokesman.
“There is also a QR-type code on the back that will help populate the information when you visit a DMV (office) and need to autofill (an) application,” he added.
To ask Honk questions, reach him at honk@ocregister.com. He only answers those that are published. To see Honk online: ocregister.com/tag/honk. Twitter: @OCRegisterHonk
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Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( A short lane on the 5 Freeway saved motorists time — until closing after few used it )
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