Five California traffic laws that drivers might be confused about December 20, 2011 02:51PM | Admin Registered: 15 years ago Posts: 17,111 |
Re: Five California traffic laws that drivers might be confused about December 20, 2011 03:52PM | Moderator Registered: 15 years ago Posts: 1,942 |
Re: Five California traffic laws that drivers might be confused about December 20, 2011 03:57PM | Admin Registered: 15 years ago Posts: 17,111 |
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Frank Furter
In my experience, the rules about stopping for pedestrians even in unmarked crosswalks
Re: Five California traffic laws that drivers might be confused about December 20, 2011 04:11PM | Moderator Registered: 15 years ago Posts: 1,942 |
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eeek
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Frank Furter
In my experience, the rules about stopping for pedestrians even in unmarked crosswalks
It doesn't say to stop; it says to yield the right of way. Lately I've been seeing people that think you have to wait until the pedestrian is completely out of the street before proceeding.
Re: Five California traffic laws that drivers might be confused about December 20, 2011 04:14PM | Moderator Registered: 15 years ago Posts: 1,942 |
Re: Five California traffic laws that drivers might be confused about December 20, 2011 05:58PM | Admin Registered: 15 years ago Posts: 17,111 |
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Frank Furter
As far as California regulations go, I would have to add that I have had trouble getting used to motorcyclists darting in and out of lanes on the freeways between slower moving or stopped vehicles which, apparently, is now legal in the state.
Re: Five California traffic laws that drivers might be confused about December 20, 2011 06:50PM | Registered: 14 years ago Posts: 1,634 |
Re: Five California traffic laws that drivers might be confused about December 20, 2011 06:53PM | Registered: 14 years ago Posts: 1,634 |
Re: Five California traffic laws that drivers might be confused about December 20, 2011 06:56PM | Admin Registered: 15 years ago Posts: 17,111 |
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Dave
Parking lights.... has anyone ever used them for the intended purpose, whatever that is? I think the reasoning behind using them at dawn or dusk is so that they won't wear down the battery like the headlights do. Of course that's BS, but someone told them and they can't change.
Re: Five California traffic laws that drivers might be confused about December 20, 2011 09:35PM | Registered: 14 years ago Posts: 1,634 |
24800. No vehicle shall be driven at any time with the parking lamps lighted except when the lamps are being used as turn signal lamps or when the headlamps are also lighted.Quote
eeek
In California you are never legal with just your parking lights on.
Re: Five California traffic laws that drivers might be confused about December 21, 2011 08:33AM | Registered: 15 years ago Posts: 671 |
Re: Five California traffic laws that drivers might be confused about December 26, 2011 12:39AM | Registered: 13 years ago Posts: 424 |
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eeek
Lane splitting has been legal for as long as I can remember. It's just stupid.
Re: Five California traffic laws that drivers might be confused about December 26, 2011 01:38PM | Admin Registered: 15 years ago Posts: 17,111 |
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oakroscoe
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eeek
Lane splitting has been legal for as long as I can remember. It's just stupid.
Eeek, I bet to disagree. I would much rather take my chances splitting lanes going slightly faster than traffic as opposed to sitting in stop and go traffic and crossing my fingers that the driver talking on his cellphone while changing his GPS route in the car behind me sees me in time to stop.
Re: Five California traffic laws that drivers might be confused about December 26, 2011 01:46PM | Registered: 14 years ago Posts: 50 |
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oakroscoe
I would much rather take my chances splitting lanes going slightly faster than traffic as opposed to sitting in stop and go traffic and crossing my fingers that the driver talking on his cellphone while changing his GPS route in the car behind me sees me in time to stop.
Re: Five California traffic laws that drivers might be confused about December 20, 2011 05:58PM | Admin Registered: 15 years ago Posts: 17,111 |
Re: Five California traffic laws that drivers might be confused about December 27, 2011 07:55AM | Registered: 15 years ago Posts: 1,882 |
Re: Five California traffic laws that drivers might be confused about December 20, 2011 06:03PM | Registered: 14 years ago Posts: 1,351 |
Re: Five California traffic laws that drivers might be confused about December 20, 2011 05:15PM | Registered: 15 years ago Posts: 7,421 |
Re: Five California traffic laws that drivers might be confused about December 20, 2011 05:59PM | Admin Registered: 15 years ago Posts: 17,111 |
Re: Five California traffic laws that drivers might be confused about December 20, 2011 07:15PM | Registered: 15 years ago Posts: 670 |
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eeek
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chick-on
One of my big pet peeves:
CLOWNS who think that it is OK to drive with Fog Lights on ALL THE TIME!
They aren't as bad as the clowns that think high beams are for using all the time.
Re: Five California traffic laws that drivers might be confused about December 21, 2011 09:17AM | Registered: 14 years ago Posts: 694 |
Re: Five California traffic laws that drivers might be confused about December 21, 2011 02:50PM | Registered: 15 years ago Posts: 4,173 |
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chick-on
One of my big pet peeves:
CLOWNS who think that it is OK to drive with Fog Lights on ALL THE TIME!
Re: Five California traffic laws that drivers might be confused about December 21, 2011 03:28PM | Moderator Registered: 15 years ago Posts: 1,942 |
Driving without headlights is an error that may reflect alcohol or other drug impaired driving.Quote
plawrence
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chick-on
One of my big pet peeves:
CLOWNS who think that it is OK to drive with Fog Lights on ALL THE TIME!
Bigger pet peeve: the clowns who don't realize they're driving at night with absolutely NO LIGHTS on!
This past month I've encountered four of these moronic drivers. One even pulled-up besides me at a stop light, but he couldn't understand what "Your lights are off" and "Turn on your lights" meant. I even turned off and on my headlights a number of times to see if he could get a clue. He and his passengers were Asian, so I don't know if he understood English well.
Re: Five California traffic laws that drivers might be confused about December 21, 2011 06:05PM | Admin Registered: 15 years ago Posts: 17,111 |
Re: Five California traffic laws that drivers might be confused about December 20, 2011 10:50PM | Registered: 14 years ago Posts: 931 |
Re: Five California traffic laws that drivers might be confused about December 21, 2011 01:47PM | Registered: 15 years ago Posts: 7,421 |
Re: Five California traffic laws that drivers might be confused about December 21, 2011 10:21AM | Registered: 13 years ago Posts: 1,986 |
Re: Five California traffic laws that drivers might be confused about December 26, 2011 12:42AM | Registered: 13 years ago Posts: 424 |
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parklover
I downloaded the CA DMV driver booklet and no where did I see it state that, although pedestrians have the right of way in cross walks, you had to wait until a pedestrian fully crossed the intersection before proceeding to drive through that intersection. But that does not mean that you can drive between separate groups of people crossing the intersection, like I have seen people do.
Re: Five California traffic laws that drivers might be confused about December 26, 2011 01:38PM | Admin Registered: 15 years ago Posts: 17,111 |
Re: Five California traffic laws that drivers might be confused about December 26, 2011 02:50PM | Registered: 13 years ago Posts: 424 |
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eeek
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oakroscoe
For instance, don't even try to drive through a crosswalk in Pasadena when a pedestrian is still in it, the cops will be all over you for a hefty ticket.
Which you then get dismissed in court.
Re: Five California traffic laws that drivers might be confused about December 26, 2011 03:24PM | Admin Registered: 15 years ago Posts: 17,111 |
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oakroscoe
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eeek
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oakroscoe
For instance, don't even try to drive through a crosswalk in Pasadena when a pedestrian is still in it, the cops will be all over you for a hefty ticket.
Which you then get dismissed in court.
Haha in that county with those judges, you're dreaming if you think you're getting that dismissed.
They are making a huge emphasis about it:
http://sanmarino.patch.com/articles/police-set-up-covert-pedestrian-detail-ticket-drivers
http://www.ci.pasadena.ca.us/police/special_traffic_enforcement_program/
Re: Five California traffic laws that drivers might be confused about December 21, 2011 11:12AM | Registered: 14 years ago Posts: 1,634 |
Re: Five California traffic laws that drivers might be confused about December 21, 2011 11:50AM | Registered: 15 years ago Posts: 670 |
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Dave
From what I have read here, and in other states, you have to stay stopped until the pedestrian in the crosswalk has cleared your half of the roadway.
Re: Five California traffic laws that drivers might be confused about December 21, 2011 12:57PM | Registered: 14 years ago Posts: 1,634 |
I was going to add to my posts; "The cop writing the ticket might have other ideas."Quote
qumqats
There seems to be some confusion on this, because I've heard that it's not "your half" but rather then entire roadway.
i.e. you have to wait till they cross the entire road.
It seems silly, but I'm not going to try telling that to the officer as he's writing the ticket.
I've not heard that one.Quote
I'd like to have a authoritative answer to this question. . .
Then there's the 3 second rule. When you stop at an intersection to make a turn, you have to be stopped for 3 seconds before proceeding. I've heard of people stopping and being ticketed for not stopping long enough!
Re: Five California traffic laws that drivers might be confused about December 21, 2011 01:09PM | Moderator Registered: 15 years ago Posts: 1,942 |
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Dave
I was going to add to my posts; "The cop writing the ticket might have other ideas."Quote
qumqats
There seems to be some confusion on this, because I've heard that it's not "your half" but rather then entire roadway.
i.e. you have to wait till they cross the entire road.
It seems silly, but I'm not going to try telling that to the officer as he's writing the ticket.I've not heard that one.Quote
I'd like to have a authoritative answer to this question. . .
Then there's the 3 second rule. When you stop at an intersection to make a turn, you have to be stopped for 3 seconds before proceeding. I've heard of people stopping and being ticketed for not stopping long enough!
Another confusing rule/law; school zones and lower speeds. The lower 25mph in effect "when children are present"? Does that mean actually there, walking around? Or while school is in session? Or when children COULD be walking around?
Re: Five California traffic laws that drivers might be confused about December 21, 2011 02:43PM | Registered: 15 years ago Posts: 4,173 |
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Dave
Another confusing rule/law; school zones and lower speeds. The lower 25mph in effect "when children are present"? Does that mean actually there, walking around? Or while school is in session? Or when children COULD be walking around
Re: Five California traffic laws that drivers might be confused about December 21, 2011 03:34PM | Registered: 14 years ago Posts: 1,634 |
Ah, I looked it up once and one of the several laws covering this mentioned something about when children COULD be walking to or from school. That can be construed to mean any time the school is in session and about an hour before and after.Quote
plawrence
It means that children must actually be present there on the road, sidewalk, or near the side of the road. But if they're behind a fence (i.e. the fence is between the children and the road) then the lower 25 MPH speed limit does not apply.
And for this law, even 12th graders are considered to be children. So if there are high schoolers present, one needs to slow down too.
Re: Five California traffic laws that drivers might be confused about December 21, 2011 05:16PM | Registered: 15 years ago Posts: 4,173 |
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Dave
And, out here in the country, the kids are bussed, or driven, to school. They rarely, if ever, walk to school.
Re: Five California traffic laws that drivers might be confused about December 21, 2011 06:02PM | Registered: 15 years ago Posts: 7,421 |
Re: Five California traffic laws that drivers might be confused about December 21, 2011 06:04PM | Admin Registered: 15 years ago Posts: 17,111 |
Re: Five California traffic laws that drivers might be confused about December 27, 2011 08:03AM | Registered: 15 years ago Posts: 1,882 |
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Dave
Ah, I looked it up once and one of the several laws covering this mentioned something about when children COULD be walking to or from school. That can be construed to mean any time the school is in session and about an hour before and after.Quote
plawrence
It means that children must actually be present there on the road, sidewalk, or near the side of the road. But if they're behind a fence (i.e. the fence is between the children and the road) then the lower 25 MPH speed limit does not apply.
And for this law, even 12th graders are considered to be children. So if there are high schoolers present, one needs to slow down too.
The CVC says under Section 22358.4(B) A 25 miles per hour prima facie limit in a residence district, on a highway with a posted speed limit of 30 miles per hour or slower, when approaching, at a distance of 500 to 1,000 feet from, a school building or the grounds thereof, contiguous to a highway and posted with a school warning sign that indicates a speed limit of 25 miles per hour, while children are going to or leaving the school, either during school hours or during the noon recess period.
And, out here in the country, the kids are bussed, or driven, to school. They rarely, if ever, walk to school.
Re: Five California traffic laws that drivers might be confused about December 21, 2011 05:53PM | Admin Registered: 15 years ago Posts: 17,111 |
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Dave
Another confusing rule/law; school zones and lower speeds. The lower 25mph in effect "when children are present"? Does that mean actually there, walking around? Or while school is in session? Or when children COULD be walking around?
Re: Five California traffic laws that drivers might be confused about December 21, 2011 09:18PM | Registered: 15 years ago Posts: 670 |
Re: Five California traffic laws that drivers might be confused about December 21, 2011 10:06PM | Registered: 14 years ago Posts: 1,634 |
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qumqats
I've been wondering lately, what is it with how much space people are leaving in front of them at stop lights/signs?
When I stop behind someone at a light or sign I leave 2 to 6 feet between cars.
Lately whenever I'm at a light/sign I see people with 10, 20, sometimes even 30 feet in front of them!
Whats up with this???????
Re: Five California traffic laws that drivers might be confused about December 22, 2011 01:30PM | Registered: 15 years ago Posts: 4,173 |
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Dave
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qumqats
I've been wondering lately, what is it with how much space people are leaving in front of them at stop lights/signs?
When I stop behind someone at a light or sign I leave 2 to 6 feet between cars.
Lately whenever I'm at a light/sign I see people with 10, 20, sometimes even 30 feet in front of them!
Whats up with this???????
Chain reactions. If the cars are all bunched up and the last one gets hit; all get damaged. Leave some space and that won't happen. When stopped, you should be able to see the bottom of the rear tires of the car in front of you. Bunching up won't get you through the intersection any faster. Unless you are tailgating, in which case I will slow down anyway, you always wait until the car ahead of you is a reasonable distance away before you start anyway. Another reason is that if the car in front stalls you, and the others, won't be locked in behind it. You'll have room to pull around - as I have had to do at the lights at the twin bridges.
Re: Five California traffic laws that drivers might be confused about December 22, 2011 02:42PM | Registered: 14 years ago Posts: 1,634 |
That works on every street or road in every situation. When stopped at a traffic light or stop sign, being able to see a foot or two, no more, of pavement between you and the car in front is always a good thing. Bunching up will not get anyone anywhere any faster.Quote
plawrenceQuote
Dave
Chain reactions. If the cars are all bunched up and the last one gets hit; all get damaged. Leave some space and that won't happen. When stopped, you should be able to see the bottom of the rear tires of the car in front of you. Bunching up won't get you through the intersection any faster. Unless you are tailgating, in which case I will slow down anyway, you always wait until the car ahead of you is a reasonable distance away before you start anyway. Another reason is that if the car in front stalls you, and the others, won't be locked in behind it. You'll have room to pull around - as I have had to do at the lights at the twin bridges.
That works on rural roads with not a lot of other cross streets nearby. In more developed areas, this can help cause gridlock where traffic from one traffic light can back up and block the intersections of other streets, especially smaller streets that don't have any traffic signals.
I'm talking about the distance between cars while stopped. While moving, I do my best with the 3 second rule. If someone is tailgating me I slow down way before the signal to guide them in slowly. Then I take off even slower. So, if anyone is tailgating me they had better be prepared to go slower or pass me.Quote
But in rural areas, I do tend to give more space between cars, especially on rural roads with higher (45 MPH+) speed limits. On those roads, if I have to stop behind another vehicle, I give plenty of buffer between the my car and the vehicle ahead just in case the next car is doesn't slow down fast enough. If has helped avoid a rear-ender a couple of times. But in more urban/suburban areas, this really isn't a major problem on most streets. The exception of course is being on a freeway, where again I give plenty of space between my car and the vehicle in front of me.
I've not experienced that.Quote
What really is a annoying is when the first vehicle stops too early in front of a stop light, so that vehicle does NOT trip the signal to turn green. Arrrgh!
Re: Five California traffic laws that drivers might be confused about December 21, 2011 12:31PM | Moderator Registered: 15 years ago Posts: 1,942 |
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Dave
...From what I have read here, and in other states, you have to stay stopped until the pedestrian in the crosswalk has cleared your half of the roadway.
Re: Five California traffic laws that drivers might be confused about December 21, 2011 02:00PM | Registered: 13 years ago Posts: 1,986 |
Re: Five California traffic laws that drivers might be confused about December 21, 2011 03:25PM | Registered: 15 years ago Posts: 670 |
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parklover
. . . snip
Qumqats, I looked at the handbook to see if there is a three second rule and there is no mention of how long you have to stop at intersections. . . snip . . .
Re: Five California traffic laws that drivers might be confused about December 21, 2011 03:25PM | Registered: 14 years ago Posts: 1,634 |
I get them from the California Vehicle Code. Just Google; "calif vehicle code crosswalk" and it pops up in one of the first few results.Quote
parklover
Dave, I am curious about where are you finding these "sections" that you have been quoting. The CA Drivers Handbook is not in that sort of format. My son will be taking his driving test in a few months and I want to make sure that there is not some other source for regulations.
Re: Five California traffic laws that drivers might be confused about December 21, 2011 06:12PM | Admin Registered: 15 years ago Posts: 17,111 |
Re: Five California traffic laws that drivers might be confused about December 21, 2011 05:31PM | Moderator Registered: 15 years ago Posts: 1,942 |
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parklover
... I am curious about where are you finding these "sections" that you have been quoting. The CA Drivers Handbook is not in that sort of format. My son will be taking his driving test in a few months and I want to make sure that there is not some other source for regulations. .....
Re: Five California traffic laws that drivers might be confused about December 21, 2011 06:10PM | Admin Registered: 15 years ago Posts: 17,111 |
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parklover
Dave, I am curious about where are you finding these "sections" that you have been quoting. The CA Drivers Handbook is not in that sort of format. My son will be taking his driving test in a few months and I want to make sure that there is not some other source for regulations.
Re: Five California traffic laws that drivers might be confused about December 21, 2011 07:31PM | Registered: 13 years ago Posts: 1,986 |