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Category Archives: California Driver Handbook
Crashes involving large trucks means death for those in the other vehicle
Fact from The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: Passengers in vehicles involved in crashes with large trucks are more likely to die as a result on that collision. “In 2011, 3,757 people were killed in motor-vehicle crashes involving a large … Continue reading
Installing stop signs not always the answer
Dear Street Smarts, Q: I avoid driving the most convenient route out of my Santa Cruz neighborhood because the intersections at Liberty and Gharkey streets, and Liberty and Santa Cruz streets, have no stop signs. City public works gave an … Continue reading
Posted in bus, California Driver Handbook, crosswalks, Metro, Santa Cruz Public Works, stop signs, traffic signs, Uncategorized
Tagged bus, Metro, public works, Santa Cruz, stop signs, traffic signs
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Us vs. them: Can bicyclists and motorists get along on Santa Cruz County’s roads?
Santa Cruz County touts itself as being laid back and a cycling-friendly mecca. But is it? Every time anything cycling related appears in this column, rage comes out. This past Thursday’s column is a perfect example. Verbal single finger solutes … Continue reading
Posted in Aptos, bicycle, bicycle education, Bicycling, big rigs, bike safety, California Driver Handbook, California Vehicle Code, Capitola, CHP, cycling, disabled drivers, DMV, driver education, Driver safety, Felton, law enforcement, Office of Traffic Safety, pedestrian education, pedestrian safety, pedestrians, Public safety, road rage, roads, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission, Scotts Valley, Senior drivers, share the road, Soquel, speed, tailgating, teen drivers, teens, traffic, Traffic collisions, traffic hazards, traffic laws, traffic safety, transportation, UCSC, Uncategorized
Tagged bicycles, californiadriverhandbook, californiavehiclecode, CHP, ecologyaction, motorists, OTS, roadrage, SCCRTC, transportation
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July 4th holiday road trippers should get ready and be set before they go
The Fourth of July is coming up in about a week and a half, and many of you are thinking: Road Trip! If you are planning to hit the road, it would be wise to put your car in the … Continue reading
Posted in booster seats, California Driver Handbook, California Vehicle Code, cell phones, child passenger safety, child seats, children, disabled drivers, distracted drivers, driver education, Driver safety, Driving impaired, drowsy driving, DUI, Gas prices, highways, impaired drivers, inattentive drivers, motorcycle, NHTSA, Office of Traffic Safety, road trip, roadtrip, seat belts, Senior drivers, speed, State Parks, teen drivers, teens, texting, tires, tourism, traffic, transportation, Uncategorized, weather
Tagged child seat, children, consumer affairs, distracted drivers, driver education, Driver safety, drivers, driving, DUI, holiday, impaired drivers, weather
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Obeying road rules keeps everyone safe, reader says
Dear Street Smarts, Q: Thank you for your response to Gloria, who is unhappy about cycling in the same direction as traffic. You advised her it was safer to ride with traffic, not against. As a child, I was originally … Continue reading
Posted in bicycle, bicycle education, bike safety, California Driver Handbook, California Vehicle Code, Capitola, CHP, county, Public safety, Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley, transportation, Uncategorized
Tagged bicycles, California Vehicle Code, Capitola, CHP, county, Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley, transportation, watsonville
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The dangers of wrong way cycling
Dear Street Smarts, Q: There have been two letters to the editor – from the same person – telling people it is safer for bicyclists to ride facing traffic. I think someone with bike expertise needs to address this misconception … Continue reading
What to do when you see a flagger in a construction zone
You’re approaching a construction zone and a person in orange with a yellow vest is holding a sign that reads, “Stop” on one side and “Slow” on the other. What do you do? Are you legally required to obey the … Continue reading
Tale of people driving badly
In between assignments Thursday, I lounged in Capitola for a bit. While there, I caught people behaving badly behind the wheel of deadly weapons. In my first encounter, I was sitting on a bench around 10 a.m. along … Continue reading
Posted in California Driver Handbook, Capitola, Capitola Police, CHP, Uncategorized
Tagged California Driver Handbook, Capitola, Capitola Police, CHP
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Untethered dogs in cars is dangerous, reader says
Dear Street Smarts, Q: It appears that there are a number of dog owners driving around the area that do not understand that an unrestrained dog in a vehicle could be severely injured in an accident. I’ve seen people with … Continue reading
Tell us how to gauge distance, reader says
Dear Street Smarts, Q: In regard to Monday’s column, ‘Street Smarts: In absence of signs, when are U-turns allowed?,’ what is 200 feet comparable to? Giving information to drivers in a manner that is relevant to the situation would be … Continue reading
