IF THERE IS ONE
I have moved seven times in eight years, almost always with the help of my Dad, who has put together and disassembled more particleboard IKEA bookshelves than anyone should in a lifetime.
Moving was fairly easy between the two of us. I could fit the contents of my kitchen in a single Rubbermaid container and we'd have the apartment empty within a few hours.
Today, I have furniture that is heavy and requires dusting. I'll need someone to help me move it next time, since my Dad deserves a break. It will be tempting to hire the cheapest person.
But the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration asks consumers to be wary before you send your belongings off with a mover.
Just in time for the spring and summer moving season, it has identified a few "red flags" that indicate a moving company could be "rogue." (Their words, not mine).
A company will give you a suspiciously low price for the move over the phone or via e-mail, without visiting your home or offering to do an in-person estimate.
A company demands cash, or a large deposit.
The company provides no information on its licensing and insurance. Or, the company claims all your goods are covered by insurance.
When you call the company, the person answering does not say a specific company title. They may say something nonspecific, like "moving company."
On moving day, a rental truck arrives, not a company-branded truck.
For more information on moving safety, visit the FMCSA's Web site on this topic, protectyour
Dear Kelly: At the intersection of Carter Street and U.S. 1 in Falmouth, VDOT has placed a solid white line in the northbound lanes of U.S. 1, which would indicate don't block the intersection. However, drivers on Carter Street can't make a left turn onto U.S. 1 southbound and there is a solid double yellow line on U.S. 1 that indicates, I think, that there's no left turn from U.S. 1 onto Carter Street (nor should there be). What's going on?
--Jack MacKenn, Stafford
You can make a left turn onto Carter Street from U.S. 1. The solid double yellow line on U.S. 1 only applies to traffic traveling up and down U.S. 1 with regard to passing other vehicles, said Tina Bundy, Virginia Department of Transportation spokeswoman, Fredericksburg District. It does not prohibit left turns from U.S. 1 onto Carter Street.
In practice, though, traffic is usually so heavy here most drivers don't attempt it.
VDOT did a study a while ago to see if left turns should be restricted at Carter and U.S. 1, and it concluded it wasn't warranted.
But the study did recommend painting the thick white stripe you reference on U.S. 1 north. You are correct, the stripe encourages drivers not to block the intersection, making it easier for drivers to turn left.
Dear Kelly: Traffic lights have finally been hung at the intersection of Kings Highway (State Route 3) with Madison Drive and Barbara's Way (by the King George post office). When will it be activated? It has been dark for more than a month.
--Terry Naumann,
Since there is some lag time between the submission of questions and the answers, you have probably noticed this traffic signal is up and running, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation. Yay! It's been
"Getting There" has been answering questions about putting a signal here since May 2005. Very happy to hear it's working.
Kelly Hannon is The Free Lance-Star's transportation reporter. If you have questions, send them to Getting There, c/o The Free Lance-Star, 616 Amelia St., Fredericksburg, Va. 22401; or you may fill out the Getting There form on the Web at fredericksburg.com.