A Press Democrat Blog

Road Warrior

Trying to make sense out of getting around

Driving 100 mph to get to your kid’s party, soccer game

Tuesday, at 5:40 by

We all run late at times for appointments, work, weddings, our kids’ sports events and more. But driving 100 mph to get to them? Twice in the past week, local officers pulled over drivers going 100 mph or more, and both motorists explained that they were running late to an event for their kids. And both ended up missing those events; they went to jail. Last Friday, CHP Officer Marcus Hawkins was southbound on Highway 101 in Rohnert Park when… Read More »

Watch out for bicyclists this week

Tuesday, at 2:11 by

It’s watch-out-for-bicyclists week. As Sonoma County gears up for Sunday’s start to the Amgen Tour of California, drivers will be encountering many more bicyclists than normal along with some traffic delays and road closures. But the key for all will be safety. The brunt of that responsibility will fall to drivers. While bicyclists must follow traffic laws too, some don’t. So drivers this week will have to take particular care when encountering bicyclists. It’s common for bicyclists in packs to… Read More »

Mailbag: Can you use carpool lane to get around an accident? And more…

Friday, at 6:00 by

Here’s a question from a reader: If there is an accident in the “slow” lane during commute hours, can you use the carpool lane to avoid the accident? Can the CHP ticket you for this? This scenario recently happened on the Cotati Grade, it was a major accident. Sue The answer comes from CHP Officer Jon Sloat, spokesman for the Sonoma County office: You can use the carpool lane if directed by a few ways: An officer at the scene,… Read More »

CHP watching traffic at Forestville School

Monday, at 12:34 by

If you drive by Forestville School on Highway 116, watch out for extra traffic and pedestrians. If you don’t, the CHP will be there to ensure you do. There’s construction starting at the school, and that’s changing how many students get to school. A sidewalk along 116 from Covey Road to the school will be closed, and that’s expected to mean more congestion in front of the school in the morning and afternoons. The CHP, starting Tuesday, plans to assign… Read More »

Sound off: Readers’ gripes, comments

Saturday, at 6:10 by

ARE THESE BICYCLISTS RIDING LEGALLY? I am sending you this letter and attachment in the hope that you will help educate the biking community to their responsibilities under the law. I  understand and support the individual bicycler’s right to share the road with me. But I do expect that each bicyclist follow the laws that govern their use of the roads. A prime example of what gives bicyclists a bad reputation happened to me Saturday while driving from Occidental to… Read More »

Mailbag: Stony Point speed limit? U-turns in front of schools?

Friday, at 8:19 by

Here’s a question from a reader: I’m wondering if you can clarify the speed limit on Stony Point Road between Rohnert Park Expressway and Petaluma Blvd. North. If you are heading south on Stony Point, just a bit after Rohnert Park Expressway, there is a sign that says “End 50 MPH.” There is not another speed limit sign posted heading south after that one sign.  To me, that means I can go 55 mph.  Is that right? If you are… Read More »

Eating that Big Mac while driving could get you a ticket

Thursday, at 6:20 by

It’s not illegal to eat a Big Mac while driving, but it is illegal if you become dangerous while chomping away. And you could get ticketed. Various local police agencies are joining the CHP and police across the state and nation in stepping up enforcement on distracted driving throughout April. CHP Officer Jon Sloat, spokesman for the Sonoma County office, said it’s not just drivers texting or using cellphones that get distracted. A variety of legal activities could quickly become… Read More »

Cotati Grade: Sonoma County’s new speedway

Wednesday, at 7:48 by

At times, it seems I’m the only one going 55 on the Cotati Grade. You too? With the opening late last year of the third north and southbound lanes on Highway 101 between Petaluma Boulevard North and Rohnert Park Expressway, many drivers have turned the stretch into a speedway, often far exceeding the 55-mph speed limit. As I cruise in the slow lane doing 55 or so, I’ve been passed by a variety of trucks and cars, from clunkers to… Read More »

Mailbag: Can buses be in No. 1 lane? College/Humboldt?

Saturday, at 6:04 by

Here’s a question from a reader: Why is it that buses (usually casino bound) can drive in the #1 lane even after carpool hours are over? It seems to me that buses should be following the same rules as trucks with trailers and have to stay in the far right lane except to pass. I see almost daily buses holding up faster traffic in the #1 lane and cars maneuvering around them which is creating unsafe conditions. Thanks, Nate The answer comes from CHP Officer Jon Sloat, spokesman… Read More »

Mailbag: Can CHP sit, wait in the dark along 101?

Friday, at 5:54 by

Here’s a question from a Road Warrior reader: I have a question about the California Highway Patrol. I drive at night on southbound 101 from Santa Rosa to Novato and I’m curious about the rules for CHP sitting in the dark on the side of the road with no visible lights on. Sometimes the CHP car seems to be hiding behind a portion of K-rail about a quarter of a mile before the Pepper Road on ramp to 101 south… Read More »