Here’s a question from a Road Warrior reader:

There seems to be a lot of confusion on the intersection of Cleveland Ave and Steele Lane. If you are turning left from (southbound) Cleveland to Steele, there are two turn lanes which go to three lanes into Steele. I see people from the inside lane constantly turn into the middle lane cutting off people in the left-hand lane trying to continue on Steele and not use the freeway. Half the internet says they are right, the other half says they are wrong. Which is it? Unfortunately, there is nothing painted in the intersection to make this a easy and safe decision for drivers. Dan

The answer from Santa Rosa Police Sgt. Rich Celli is that you can merge over to get onto Highway 101 but you must do it safely and without impeding traffic. Otherwise, you could be ticketed. And based on comments from Road Warrior readers, not many drivers are doing it safely.

Celli said that technically a driver legally must signal for 100 feet before moving into the next lane. But if you’re moving from the far left lane to the far right lane to get to 101 that would mean 200 feet of signaling, something he said is not realistic in the short distance from Cleveland Avenue to 101.

Celli said he planned to talk to the city’s traffic engineer about putting a prominent sign or pavement marking indicating that the No. 2 lane on southbound Cleveland is the one to be in if you’re headed for 101. There is a small sign on a street pole down Cleveland but it’s easy to miss.