Q Mr. Roadshow: I listen to traffic reports most mornings, and recently began to wonder why motorcycles are so often involved in accidents reported throughout the Bay Area. I checked online as to what percent motorcycles represent of all registered vehicles in California and, as I suspected, they were under 5 percent. My unofficial estimate as to how often I hear them being involved in traffic accidents is much greater than 5 percent. Any suggestions why?

Hugh Cavanaugh

Alameda

A Yes. Statewide, fatal victims of motorcycle-involved collisions dropped 35 percent from 2008 to 2010, but then rose 29 percent by 2012 before falling again last year.

But just one motorcycle crash is going to get on area traffic reports for good reason, says John-the-KLIV-Traffic-Man: “Once in a while I get a bike with mechanical problems, but most of the time it involves a cyclist down on the roadway with injuries. That’s the kind of accident that gets my attention, and I will make a point of mentioning a rider lying in the roadway. That kind of mishap can have a tragic outcome, so I do indeed make a big deal out of it.”

Added Joe-the-KQED-Traffic-Man: “It probably seems as if motorcycles are involved in more accidents because we tend to specify when a motorcycle is involved because the riders tend to get hurt or even killed more than car drivers. So if a motorcycle crashes, it’s likely going to be a bigger problem than a car crash because of the need for an ambulance.”

Q Heading west on I-580 in Oakland at the Park Boulevard exit, the signal only allows for four to five cars to go before turning red. This often causes cars to wait for several signals to change before they can turn left on 14th Avenue, or pass 14th on the way to Park. I talked to a traffic person who told me it would be fixed in about 12 weeks. That was over one year ago!

Neal Mazaroff

Oakland

A The long wait is over. The green for westbound offramp traffic was a bit short, but the city added an additional five seconds for the afternoon cycle and will monitor traffic to make sure the problem has been solved.

Q You recently stated that “Traffic officials say updated state safety standards require new barriers to improve lighting” on I-580. How do new barriers improve lighting?

Larry Ayers

Walnut Creek

A You’re going to see this on most Bay Area highways where express lanes are being added. The lighting in the median at toll zones will provide better visibility at night, and in order to accommodate the installation of light poles, median barriers need to be taller to reflect that lighting.

Q Hitting the dip on the right lanes of eastbound Highway 24 at freeway speed near eastbound Central Lafayette is causing cars to bottom out. When will Caltrans fix this dangerous situation?

Bill Oman

Rossmoor

A All lanes will be repaved 200 feet out from Brown Avenue any day. There will also be a new drain added to prevent future erosion.

Mr. Roadshow is recovering from surgery, but he prepared columns to appear while he recuperates. Contact Gary Richards at mrroadshow@mercurynews.com, but please be patient for a response.