Comments on: Sound Off: Readers’ gripes and comments

By: sreed

sreed — Tue, 22 May 2012 19:05:16 +0000

I am in agreement that everyday when i drive home from san rafael to rphnert park where I live after 3.45 pm to 4.00 pm I see a lot of single drivers just driving on the carpool lane even though the carpool restriction is from 3.00pm to 6.30 pm . I have not seen any these drivers ticketed on these roads. Where is the CHP – this is money for schools from people who can afford it as they are going in these lanes

By: Dizzle

Dizzle — Thu, 03 May 2012 19:54:43 +0000

Whoa, the snitch patrol is alive in this post.

By: Randy Roads

Randy Roads — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 13:45:08 +0000

Speaking of car pool lanes. It is against the law for a vehicle towing a trailer to be in the car pool lane. And, the speed limit is 55 mph, when towing a trailer. I see both being violated daily.

By: bill

bill — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 23:47:13 +0000

Highway 12 at Mission is still terrible. It needs better markings and signs; espicially Northbound on Mission heading towards Montecito. For some unknown reason some drivers think there are 2 left turn lanes to head downtown. I regularly see people make left turns on the red arrow from the second lane as well as the green arrow. The other day I even had someone lay on the horn when I was in the second lane waiting on the red but the guy wanted to go left. When the left turn light is red and they make a left turn from the second lane they’re doing into a through traffic green ligh south bound..
Additionally going south across Hwy 12 is confusing because the lanes don’t line up. Going from 2 through lanes to 3 lanes with one quickly ending in a right turn only into Mission McDonald’s Plaze. HELP before someone gets killed.

By: Jack

Jack — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 23:27:56 +0000

I also want to add that while our rural roads often appear to be calm, empty, and unused enough to drive in whatever crazy manner you choose, the appearance is false. Our rural roads are very well-used and the locals and commuters drive fast so don’t assume any narrow, beat-up road is a safe place not follow the rules.

By: Jack

Jack — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 23:23:02 +0000

My daily commute takes me along a few of our rural county roads and as the weather improves, I am seeing more cyclists on these roads.

They have a right to use them and drivers (like me) need to pay more attention when they need to pass one.

Friday I was on Laughlin Road approaching one of the nearly 90 degree curves. 3 oncoming vehicles swung across the double yellow well into my lane to pass a single cyclist. The first passed on the approach to the curve, too close to be safe. The following sports cars passed while in the curve and I had to come to a complete stop before entering the curve to avoid a head on with the final car. The driver of that car seemed so intent on passing the cyclist he did not even turn his head in my direction and I don’t know when he saw me or if he even did.

This was followed by an unbelievable encounter only moments later on the straight stretch approaching River Road. Despite a 40mph speed limit, a driver decided to stop in the middle of the road and change places with the passenger. The driver’s side door was open into my lane and I could not have passed without hitting it so, again, I was forced to slow to a crawl to figure out what crazy things other drivers were doing and how to avoid hitting them.

Please be sensible and mindful of other cars on the road, even on tiny rural roads! Pass cyclists only when it is safe, not when approaching a curve or in one! And please don’t tailgate me or honk because I am not passing a cyclist when you want me to! It won’t get you there faster!

By: melissa

melissa — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 22:35:30 +0000

The Carpool lane is open between Rohnert Park and Petaluma but its not just from RP to Pet there are single Drivers. I am always behind a single driver or in front of one in the carpool lane from RP to SR. I want to know where are the CHP on bikes who can sneak up on them.

By: Josephine M.

Josephine M. — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 16:00:46 +0000

I’m curious what Evelyn’s reasoning is for seeing the “Keep Clear” on the road, but assuming she didn’t need to follow the instruction. SHE didn’t see the necessity, so forget it? I also wonder how she could have possibly missed the driveway that is right there, or not seen all of the other cars that stop properly behind the “Keep Clear” sign.