As you might have noticed “Bumper to Bumper” has changed — namely with a new author and a new format. From now on I’ll be looking to answer questions submitted by readers in hopes of making your daily commute just a little bit easier, or just to give you something specific to blame when traffic backs up along the Capital Beltway. So please take the time to email me your questions or concerns at bumper@gazette.net.

Katherine Marshall of Potomac asks:

“I wonder if you can tell me what the problem is with the timing of the lights on the stretch of Shady Grove Road between the [Interstate 270] interchange and Darnestown Road. It’s virtually impossible to go in either direction without hitting almost all (if not all the lights) ... it’s maddening!

This is a recent development — in the last several months or so. I kept thinking I was simply having bad luck but eventually realized it’s not me.”

Answer: It’s not you. The problem is within the road itself. But, it is commuters like you who can help fix the problem.

Many of the vehicle sensors built into Shady Grove Road that trigger the traffic signals to recognize approaching vehicles were broken when the road was repaved this past summer, according to Esther Bowring, a spokeswoman for the Montgomery County Department of Transportation.

These sensors need to be dug out and replaced, a problem for which the Department of Transportation currently is reviewing options, Bowring wrote in an email. In the meantime, traffic engineers can tweak the timing on some of the traffic signals in hopes of getting them back in sync.

These same sensors are used at all 800 traffic signals maintained by the county. Bowring wrote that her department does not know how many currently are broken because they rely on reports from drivers such as Marshall to determine which ones are working.

To report an out-of-sync light or a broken sensor, call Montgomery County by dialing 311.

Rich Huelbig of Poolesville asks:

“Has there been any discussion about putting turn arrows at the intersection of [Md.] 28 [Darnestown Road] and [Md.] 118 [Germantown Road]? Anyone who travels west or east at rush hour knows how long and sometimes dangerous a wait it can be to turn at that light.”

Answer: No, because although the intersection might seem dangerous, it actually has a relatively low rate of car crashes, particularly those involving turning vehicles.

And the most common crash it did see included non-moving objects.

Since 2009, there have been nine vehicle collisions there, one of which involved a car trying to make a left turn, according to the State Highway Administration. The largest percentage of crashes there were “fixed-object” crashes, where cars struck things such as guardrails or the light itself.

In a state where police respond to about 100,000 vehicle collisions each year, nine collisions — none of which were fatal — makes for a safe intersection.

Luckily for Rich, though, accident data only is one of several factors the state looks at to determine if intersections need upgrades. Requests for such changes can be made at www.roads.maryland.gov/index.aspx?PageId=519.

For this particular intersection, SHA engineers have agreed to perform a 90-day study to see if left-turn arrows are warranted.

Enjoy your commute and try to avoid those guardrails.

Questions about your drive? Email bumper@gazette.net.