Here’s an alert if you’re planning to drive to Clearlake to just cut through Lake County on your way to the Central Valley, Shasta or wherever.

Watch out for where Highway 52 intersects with Olympic Drive in Clearlake.

It used to be that only traffic on Olympic Drive had to stop. But in February, Caltrans put stop signs on both directions of Highway 53, so now all traffic must stop. The danger is that drivers not used to or aware of the new stop signs may just barrel along at 55 mph on Highway 53 and not realize that traffic in front has stopped at the new stop signs, even though Caltrans has installed flashing warning lights and rumble strips.

Since the stop signs went in, there have been a rash of accidents. Ironically, the signs were installed because of accidents at the intersection where cars were broadsided.

Caltrans spokesman Phil Frisbie Jr. said work should start in spring 2011 on repaving and widening the shoulders of Highway 53 at the intersection and a stoplight will go in there in 2012.

Until then, be careful.