Category Archives: traffic violation

Road rules: the 411 on driving along the shoulder to make a right turns

Dear Street Smarts, Q: What are the rules for making right turns from the shoulder? I’m thinking southbound Highway 1 at River Street and/or northbound Highway 1 at Western Drive. Both these intersections have long, paved shoulders. Some drivers use … Continue reading

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Posted in bicycle, California Vehicle Code, CHP, driver education, Driver safety, Highway 1, pedestrians, Right-of-Way, Santa Cruz, traffic hazards, traffic laws, traffic light, traffic safety, traffic signal, traffic signs, traffic ticket, traffic violation, transportation, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | View Comments

Buses, traffic create blind spots for drivers near UCSC

Dear Street Smarts, Q: Due to the large amount of traffic at the east entrance to UCSC, in my opinion, left hand turn lanes large enough to accommodate buses are necessary for turning left northbound onto Glenn Coolidge Drive from … Continue reading

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Posted in bicycle, bus, California Vehicle Code, cell phones, CHP, commute, congestion, consumer affairs, distracted drivers, DMV, driver education, Driver safety, Highway 1, inattentive drivers, Intersection, law enforcement, pedestrians, public works, public works projects, road construction, road work, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Public Works, sidewalks, texting, traffic, traffic citation, traffic hazards, traffic laws, traffic safety, traffic ticket, traffic violation, transportation, UCSC, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | View Comments

Why police officers can talk non-hands-free while driving

Q: I’ve observed Capitola police officers regularly use their mobile phones while driving! Why? Rick Caldarella, via email A: This topic has appeared in Street Smarts before. But being that this is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month and officers will … Continue reading

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Posted in California Vehicle Code, Capitola, Capitola Police, cell phones, CHP, distracted drivers, DMV, driver education, Driver safety, emergency responders, law enforcement, police, Public safety, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Police, Scotts Valley, Scotts Valley Police, texting, traffic citation, Traffic Enforcement, traffic laws, traffic safety, traffic ticket, traffic violation, transportation, Uncategorized, Watonville Police | Tagged , , , , | View Comments

Dealing with school zone traffic scofflaws

In recent weeks, Street Smarts received two emails from adults concerned about the things they see drivers do around schools during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up. While playing child chauffeur last month to help out a friend, Kelly Newman was … Continue reading

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Posted in cell phones, children, CHP, commute, congestion, crossing guards, crosswalks, distracted drivers, Driver safety, inattentive drivers, law enforcement, Office of Traffic Safety, pedestrian safety, pedestrians, police, Public safety, Right-of-Way, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Police, school bus, school zones, Soquel, speed, texting, traffic citation, Traffic Enforcement, traffic laws, traffic safety, traffic violation, transportation, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | View Comments

Cell phone use while driving up; talking/texting while driving fines could rise

The same day the California Office of Traffic Safety released a study showing that distracted driving is on the rise, the state Senate approves a bill that seeks to hike fines for driving while talking and/or texting on cell phones. … Continue reading

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Posted in bicycle, bike safety, cell phones, CHP, distracted drivers, driver license, inattentive drivers, law enforcement, Office of Traffic Safety, teens, texting, Traffic collisions, traffic laws, traffic safety, traffic ticket, traffic violation, transportation, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | View Comments

Don’t smoke when kids are in the car

Did you know that it is illegal for drivers to smoke in a vehicle containing minor children? If caught, drivers violating Health and Safety Code section 118947 can face fines of up to $100, according to Ask George, the DMV’s … Continue reading

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Posted in Ask George, DMV, driver education, Driver safety, traffic laws, traffic ticket, traffic violation, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | View Comments

Bike Traffic School offered this Wednesday

A sure sign winter is coming is that the days are getting shorter. This presents challenges to cyclists, who must display proper lighting and reflective gear when they hit the road after dark to make sure they are visible to … Continue reading

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Posted in bicycle, bicycle education, Bicycling, bike lanes, bike path, bike safety, California Vehicle Code, traffic citation, traffic laws, traffic ticket, traffic violation, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | View Comments

Pedestrian safety tips for mobility scooter users

Dear Street Smarts, Q: I follow your informative column every Monday in the Sentinel and enjoy it very much. I do have a question for you: I am a disabled senior woman who rides on a battery operated four wheel … Continue reading

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Posted in bicycle, CHP, disabled pedestrians, driver education, pedestrians, public works projects, Santa Cruz County Public Works, Traffic collisions, Traffic Enforcement, traffic laws, traffic signs, traffic violation, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | View Comments

Cyclist shares crash survival story

Stop signs mean stop, so stop. When other vehicles on the road are stopped at an intersection or crosswalk for seemingly no reason, slow down and make sure they haven’t stopped for a pedestrian crossing the road. Those are just … Continue reading

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Posted in bicycle, CHP, crosswalks, pedestrian safety, pedestrians, Traffic collisions, traffic laws, traffic signs, traffic violation, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | View Comments

Are innocent drivers caught in the crossfire of Capitola’s red light camera?, reader asks

Dear Street Smarts, Q: I just read your column this morning about the red light camera at 41st Avenue and Clares Street and have a comment. Someone official should observe that camera for a period of time. The other day … Continue reading

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Posted in Capitola, driver education, Driver safety, red light camera, Red light runners, Traffic camera, traffic citation, Traffic collisions, traffic light, traffic signal, traffic ticket, traffic violation, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | View Comments