Here’s my Christmas wish list for all of us who drive:
1. That everyone always use their blinkers when switching lanes or turning. Besides being the law, it’s just plain nice to give me some warning before you suddenly move into my lane.
2. That Caltrans finally raises the speed limit on Highway 101 between Santa Rosa and Windsor back to 65. It seems that nearly everyone is doing it already, so why wait. (UPDATE: This wish was granted today — after this list was posted — by Caltrans.)
3. That widening of 101 in Rohnert Park and Cotati goes much faster than anticipated. Being hemmed in on both sides by K-rails is just too much for some drivers.
4. That drivers stop holding their cell phones while driving. Too often you’re the one I see not paying attention — going slow or weaving a bit.
5. That local police agencies crack down on illegal cell phone use, not just the occasional stepped up enforcement, but all the time. And that officers set an example and use their cell phones for only official use.
6. That car pool lane hours be shortened. Car pooling is a great idea, but if Caltrans shaved a half hour or so off the morning and evening times, it couldn’t but help ease the congestion in the other two lanes.
7. That bicyclists follow the rules of the road. Pay attention for traffic behind you and move over when safe to let cars pass. And as for those bicyclists who blow through stop signs and stop lights, you’re living on borrowed time.
8. That drivers be extra cautious when encountering bicyclists and when passing. Put yourself in the bicyclist’s place: How close or fast would you want someone to pass you?
9. That Sonoma County’s elected officials work to keep up most of the county’s roads, not just a selected few, rather than let them eventually crumble into dirt.
10. That you don’t drink and drive. And that if you do, you get arrested before you hurt or kill someone.
Jeff Davis
I drive through Santa Rosa from the Bay Area to the Mendocino Coast twice weekly. Santa Rosa drivers are a breed apart. That said, my wish is that drivers in the Santa Rosa area stop traveling faster than is safe, stop tailgating, and begin to develop a mature adults realization that they are not the only drivers on the road. All of which can be summed up this way: STOP THE AGGRESSION AND DEVELOP CIVILITY.
November 30th, 2010 7:33 am
Patrick
I’m with Jeff here. Judging by some of the other commenters on this blog though, it seems too many people think it is their god-given and constitutional right to speed, tailgate, and use their cell while driving.
November 30th, 2010 7:46 am
Terry
Thank you for number 5. It says what a lot of people want, especially the part about setting a good example by the officers.
One thing you forgot for your list, DO THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT. Highway 12 between Farmers Lane and Fulton Road is 65 mph and people do 55.
November 30th, 2010 8:08 am
Dar
How about keeping out of the passing lane (the “fast lane”) if you’re not actively passing someone. A considerable amount of road rage stems from drivers hanging out in the number one lane (the “fast lane”) while there are no vehicles in the number two lane.
And yes, please use your TURN SIGNALS!!!
November 30th, 2010 8:47 am
Barbara
And please turn on your headlights if your windshield wipers are on. . .it’s the law.
November 30th, 2010 9:04 am
Brian
My wish is for more motorists to understand that some cyclists are actually law abiding citizens, and that we have road rights as well.
November 30th, 2010 9:24 am
Stu
WHOA Terry, there’s a darn good reason why your suggestion is NOT on the list. Regarding a speed LIMIT–there’s NO requirement, except in your driving manual, for ANYONE to MAINTAIN the speed LIMIT–that’s merely the HIGHEST rate one is supposed to observe, NOT the LEAST rate-of-travel. I drive that section often and I find 55 to be better in most weather conditions, and TOO fast during rain. Also there are lots of cars merging (from multiple lanes) and while 65 is okay for the fast lane, it’s TOO fast for merging safely. I promise to stay in the slow lane, if you’ll promise to stay away from ME.
November 30th, 2010 9:28 am
Joe Modderatz
Dump all carpool lanes! Most of the time they are empty will all other cars are not moving just wasting fuel and putting emissions into the air!
I have yet to see any study that with absolute certainty proves they are any good for any reason! Other than big brother wishing to make life miserable in this already miserable place!
November 30th, 2010 9:29 am
potter
Everybody stop whininng
November 30th, 2010 9:42 am
Luke
People dont commute to santa rosa. The carpools lanes are a waste of resources. Make it a cycling lane.
November 30th, 2010 11:20 am
Dave
I am going to respond to all ten as it is easier.
1. Could not agree more. Last I checked all motorized vehicles that are approved to be on the road have turn signals. Let’s use them. And make sure also you are not making the around the world left or right turn, forgetting to turn off. Cyclists, please use your hand signals.
2. Just get the signs uncovered, how hard is that?
3. I am a fan of job security too, but let’s get this thing done. Finish that project and move on to the next. So many roads need to be upgraded around here.
4. and 5. Get a blue tooth or plug in earpiece. Not too hard and not overly expensive. Or heaven forbid, wait til you get there to make or return a call, we all used to do it, and the world did not stop turning. I think it is safe to say all will be fine again if you did so. And Mr. officer, you enforce the law, you are not above it.
6. I aactually disagree here. The carpool lanes are designed to help remove cars and ease congestion. If you choose not to participate, that is a choice, and you will find yourself not haveing as easy of a commute. Once the three lanes from Novato to Windsor is complete, imagine how great it will be to sail along in that commuter lane (go to L.A. and give it a shot on 405, it is awesome as you pass all of those who don’t participate) You have a choice, buddy up, find ride share or even take transit (they jump in the lane too) and be rewarded for carpooling.
7. and 8. I am a cyclist, and it makes me crazy when other cyclists don’t follow the rules of the road. Wear a helmet, easly seen clothing and play by the rules. We want to share the road, but if we do, we have to play by the rules. And we can be ticketed for skipping stop signs and lights….along with becoming a permamnant part of someones fender. And drivers, just give us a little room. We promise we won’t hold you up from getting to where you want to go. We want to get where we want to go too. Work with us, and we will work with you too. We will motion you around when it is clear, and slow and stop if needed to let you by, just give us a chance.
9. I understand budgetary constraints, but we need to keep our infrastructure sound so we can experience renewed growth. The cost of not maintaining can be far higher than maintaing if we have to completely rebuild it. Let’s do what makes sense and is right.
10. Most of us enjoy a good Holiday libation (Nog and brandy anyone?) but let’s be smart. Lots of good options out there. Take a cab, get a designated driver, just be smart. And remember, those officers are just doing their job trying to keep us all safe. So have fun and enjoy, just be safe. Oh, and I have a dui myself, but hold myself responsible, and fully support officers in their efforts to keep the roads safe.
Happy Holidays to all. Enjoy family and friends and travel safe.
November 30th, 2010 12:14 pm
Thoughtful Citizen
Carpool lanes are an invention by the right wing nuts to keep us ranting at the government and give them a wedge issue. Sara Palin likes carpool lanes. So does Hitler. You wouldnt want to be lumped in with Hitler would you? Let’s get those lanes changed over to non HOV ASAP and really stick it to the right wing, Sara Palin, and HITLER!
November 30th, 2010 2:19 pm
Jimmy P
My wish for 2011 is that we would increase the bike lanes between sonoma and Santa Rosa and everyone would have an easier ride or drive. it’s hard to share what isn’t there! God Bless us, every one!
November 30th, 2010 2:55 pm
Judson Spruce
At the top of my wish list is for all of us drivers to put more energy into being a little more courteous and patient.
It takes only a little effort and pays big dividends to yourself and everyone around you. It really won’t delay your arrival time by much if any and you’ll arrive in a better mood, safer, and you will not have added further stress to the drivers you came so close to on the road to get where you were going.
Have you ever looked at the faces of drivers next to you? We all live together in this community. Don’t you think they deserve a little grace? Let’s start demonstrating a little respect for the human beings we cross paths with and we can all enjoy our day a little more.
November 30th, 2010 4:06 pm
Foo Man Chu
As a cyclist and a driver I #7 and #8 really hit home for me. I see too many cyclists get mad at drivers while they don’t respect the rules themselves. Yet, I see too many drivers be complete jerks to cyclists on the roads. This madness on both sides must stop.
Also, the blinkers were put there for you drivers to use them.. They are not some sort of an ornament!
November 30th, 2010 7:22 pm
Lori
Let’s get rid of the carpool lane between Santa Rosa & Windsor. It’s frequently empty with the rest of us jammed into 2 lanes.
November 30th, 2010 7:44 pm
Terry
STU..I was talking about the fast lane and people doing 55 not the posted 65. It’s fine if you want to go slower than the posted limit…just do it in the slow lane. Don’t worry, you stay in the slow lane and you won’t be in my way in the fast lane.
But when people merge onto 12 from 101…PLEASE do not come on doing 45 when almost everyone you are merging into is going the posted 65.
November 30th, 2010 10:16 pm
Craig
I’d like to add that many of the main intersections in and around Santa Rosa have their timing and sensing changed to respond to actual traffic patterns. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been sitting at an intersection waiting, for up to 2 minutes, for a red light to turn green when there is no cross traffic.
December 1st, 2010 12:12 pm
Crazy D
I live in West County. The potholes in my area are bad. One strip of road resembles a mine field. This baloney about how much road maintainence costs and letting roads fail, just seem aburd. I think my next car will be a tank.
December 2nd, 2010 10:26 am