A Press Democrat Blog

Road Warrior

Trying to make sense out of getting around

What to say when you call 911 about an accident

Sunday, at 12:21 by

You’re out and about and a car crash happens right in front of you. You quickly dial 911 on your cellphone to report it. But was that the right thing to do? But here are a few tips to ensure the right emergency agency is contacted and you give the right information. Cindy Jones, a communications supervisor with Santa Rosa police, recommends that you program into your cellphone the seven-digit emergency number for your local police and fire departments. The… Read More »

Extra police focus on a dangerous Santa Rosa intersection

Friday, at 5:39 by

Santa Rosa motorcycle police officers this coming week will monitor one of the city’s sixth most dangerous intersections — Piner Road at Marlow Road, which last year had 8 collisions. As part of a weekly, Monday through Sunday, special enforcement program, Officer Jeff Adams says officers particularly will be looking for drivers not wearing seat belts, who are illegally using cellphones, are speeding, running red lights or committing lane violations. Each week, the officers pick one of the city’s top… Read More »

Results of SRPD’s motorcycle crackdown / Petaluma’s is Saturday

Friday, at 11:02 by

Tuesday’s Santa Rosa crackdown on motorcycle traffic violations resulted in 24  motorcyclists being stopped by officers. Sgt. Lance Badger said 15 were ticketed for such things as helmets, mechanical and failing to yield. The remaining nine were given warnings. The all-day enforcement, funded by a grant from the state Office of Traffic Safety, involved five officers whose main focus was motorcycle safety, although they handled other traffic enforcement issues as they came up, Badger said. The grant is funding eight… Read More »

Extra traffic enforcement at west Santa Rosa intersection

Saturday, at 4:47 by

Santa Rosa motorcycle police officers this coming week will monitor one of the city’s sixth most dangerous intersections — West Third Street at Stony Point Road, which last year had 8 collisions. As part of a weekly, Monday through Sunday, special enforcement program, Officer Jeff Adams says officers particularly will be looking for drivers not wearing seat belts, who are illegally using cellphones, are speeding, running red lights or committing lane violations. Each week, the officers pick one of the… Read More »

West Santa Rosa intersection under scrutiny

Saturday, at 1:25 by

Santa Rosa motorcycle police officers this coming week will monitor one of the city’s sixth most dangerous intersections — North Dutton Avenue at West Third Street, which last year had 8 collisions. As part of a weekly, Monday through Sunday, special enforcement program, Officer Jeff Adams says officers particularly will be looking for drivers not wearing seat belts, who are illegally using cellphones, are speeding, running red lights or committing lane violations. Each week, the officers pick one of the… Read More »

DUI/license checkpoint in Santa Rosa

Thursday, at 8:44 by

Santa Rosa police on Friday night will be holding a DUI/driver’s license checkpoint. The checkpoint will be 7 p.m. Friday to 1 a.m. Saturday and, as is usual, police declined to say where it would be. Officers typically arrest only a couple of DUI suspects out of the hundreds of drivers stopped at such checkpoints, but local police say the checkpoints help deter people from drinking and driving. The checkpoints are highly visible with a dozen or more officers and… Read More »

Motorcycle crackdown Tuesday in Santa Rosa

Monday, at 3:33 by

Santa Rosa police on Tuesday will be keeping a close eye on motorcyclists in an effort to lower deaths and injuries. Not only will motorcyclists be cited for traffic violations but so will drivers of cars and trucks who affect the safety of motorcyclists, such as failing to yield the right of way, Police Sgt. Lance Badger warned. He said 12 traffic officers will be patrolling the city’s main streets, looking for the violations, throughout the day until 7 p.m.… Read More »

SRJC-area intersection under police scrutiny

Saturday, at 8:55 by

Santa Rosa motorcycle police officers this coming week will monitor one of the city’s sixth most dangerous intersections — Mendocino Avenue at Silva Avenue, which last year had 8 collisions. As part of a weekly, Monday through Sunday, special enforcement program, Officer Jeff Adams says officers particularly will be looking for drivers not wearing seat belts, who are illegally using cellphones, are speeding, running red lights or committing lane violations. Each week, the officers pick one of the city’s top… Read More »

South Santa Rosa intersection targeted by police

Sunday, at 10:16 by

Santa Rosa motorcycle police officers this coming week will monitor one of the city’s sixth most dangerous intersections — Aston Avenue at Petaluma Hill Road, which last year had 8 collisions. As part of a weekly, Monday through Sunday, special enforcement program, Officer Jeff Adams says officers particularly will be looking for drivers not wearing seat belts, who are illegally using cellphones, are speeding, running red lights or committing lane violations. Each week, the officers pick one of the city’s… 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 »