A Press Democrat Blog

Road Warrior

Trying to make sense out of getting around

Zero tolerance enforcement under way for seat belts

Monday, at 9:24 by

It’s click it or ticket time. The CHP and more than 200 police departments statewide, including Petaluma’s, are implementing a zero tolerance enforcement of drivers and passengers who don’t use seat belts. The special enforcement program, which began Monday, runs through June 3. The state Office of Traffic Safety reported that California has one of the highest seat belt compliance rates in the nation at 96.6 percent. But with a population of about 37.7 million, that remaining 3.4 percent could… Read More »

New car safety law affects children age 6 to 8 and older

Monday, at 6:27 by

A state law takes effect Sunday, Jan. 1, toughening car safety rules for children. Children under age 8 will be required to be ride in a child car seat or booster seat placed in the back seat. Children age 8 or even older who are not tall enough for a car’s seat belt to fit properly must ride in a child car seat or booster seat. Until Sunday, the law requires children remain in a booster seat until age 6… Read More »

Crackdown under way on seat belt violators

Monday, at 6:00 by

A two-week crackdown starts today on those who don’t use their seat belts. More than 100 police agencies statewide, including the CHP and Petaluma police, are participating in the special campaign, funded by the state Office of Traffic Safety via the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The crackdown, which occurs twice a year, goes through Nov. 28. Petaluma Sgt. Ken Savano said his officers will be paying extra attention on whether drivers and passengers are using seat belts. It’s something… Read More »

Seat belt use: Lake County 2nd worst, Sonoma County…

Wednesday, at 6:00 by

Do you wear your seat belt? If you drive in Sonoma County, very likely. If you drive in Lake County, not so much. In fact, according to the latest survey by the state Office of Traffic Safety, Lake County drivers were ranked the second worst in the state, with 87.5 percent using their seat belts Sonoma County motorists were the 18th best out of 39 counties surveyed at 95.4 percent compliant, but Mendocino County ranked near the bottom at No.… Read More »