I’ve heard people joke that a green light means go, a yellow light means go faster and a red light means stop. But I don’t think it’s a joke any longer: More people seem to be trying to beat red lights and they’re stepping on the gas when the light turns yellow. Santa Rosa Police Sgt. Rich Celli says he hasn’t seen that as a general trend, although he does at times have officers stake out specific intersections where it’s… Read More »
We all carefully studied for our DMV driving test and intently tried to follow all of the rules and laws in the DMV handbook. So why is it that so many of us have forgotten so many of the basic rules? Here are my top three: –Turn signals. “Always signal when turning left or right, changing lanes … it lets other drivers, motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians know your intentions,” the handbook says. I see so many drivers not use their… Read More »
At stoplights or stop signs, you see some drivers leaving huge gaps between them and the car in front. Others are almost sitting on the car’s bumper. What’s going on? It’s not an issue addressed in the state Vehicle Code, Petaluma Police Sgt. Ken Savano notes. Some drivers like to creep up close to the car in front so as to provide as much room as possible for cars behind them, he says. Others leave plenty of room to be… Read More »
Can merging off of or onto Highway 101 really be that hard? Based on some complaints lately by Road Warrior readers, it can be. So to help, we went to some experts. Roileen Miller of Miller Driving School in Cotati offers these tips: –Signal. –Traffic on the highway has the right of way. –“When merging onto the freeway, you want to merge as close to traffic speed as possible.” So if traffic is moving at 65 mph, so should you.… Read More »
It’s simply amazing how many drivers change lanes, merge or turn all without using their turn signals. And it’s not just limited to the public; I’ve even seen police officers fail to signal. CHP Officer Jon Sloat said not only is using you turn signals the safe thing to do, it’s the law. But why don’t people do it? “I have no idea,” said Sloat, who agreed more and more drivers aren’t signaling. “If your movement is going to affect… Read More »
