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Road Warrior

Trying to make sense out of getting around

Mailbag: Left turn lanes for turning or merging, not passing; green stuff on 101

Friday, at 7:30 by

We’ve had some questions from readers regarding center turn lanes on city streets. For example: I thought the double turn lane was to be used as little as possible.  I live in Northwest Santa Rosa and usually use Piner Road to get to 101.  I often see drivers traveling quite far in the center turn lane, but occasionally it seems that the driver thinks the lane is an additional travel lane until they reach an intersection, where they merge into… Read More »

SRPD steps up red-light enforcement on Thursday

Wednesday, at 5:24 by

Santa Rosa police today plan to be out looking for red-light runners. Officers will stake out problem intersections, weather permitting, as part of the special operation. As an example, Sgt. Rich Celli cited Santa Rosa Avenue at Baker Avenue. As any driver who goes through that intersection knows, it’s common for drivers to push the yellow lights and even flat-out run the reds. The operation is part of a year-long, extra traffic enforcement program by Santa Rosa police that’s funded… Read More »

Mailbag: Reader gets a lecture on yielding but was right

Friday, at 6:58 by

Here’s a question from a Road Warrior reader: In December, I was driving east on Maple and was making a right hand turn on to South E Street in Santa Rosa.  The light for me was red, and there were two cars entering the intersection heading north.  I stopped before the crosswalk … I don’t know if you are aware that Maple has a separate right lane that turns into an extra lane that merges into South E Street.  I… Read More »

SRPD looking for right-of-way violators

Tuesday, at 7:00 by

Be on your toes Wednesday when you’re driving through major intersections Wednesday in Santa Rosa. A police officer may be watching. It’s all part of a year-long, extra traffic enforcement program by Santa Rosa police that’s funded through the state Office of Traffic Safety. On Wednesday, five officers will move about the city, specifically looking for right-of-way violations by drivers, such as running red lights and California stops, Police Sgt. Rich Celli said. But he warned that the officers also… Read More »

Mailbag: Confusion at Steele and Cleveland

Friday, at 10:57 by

Here’s a question from a Road Warrior reader: There seems to be a lot of confusion on the intersection of Cleveland Ave and Steele Lane. If you are turning left from (southbound) Cleveland to Steele, there are two turn lanes which go to three lanes into Steele. I see people from the inside lane constantly turn into the middle lane cutting off people in the left-hand lane trying to continue on Steele and not use the freeway. Half the internet… Read More »

DUI checkpoint Friday night

Thursday, at 9:40 by

Santa Rosa police will be conducting a DUI/license checkpoint on Friday night. As is typical, police declined to say where the checkpoint will be, but it will go from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. “It is the Santa Rosa Police Department’s goal to continue providing public awareness on the dangers of drinking and driving and the laws concerning driving without a driver’s license,” Sgt. Rich Celi said in a statement. “Motorists approaching a checkpoint will observe traffic signs, information and… Read More »

Effort to regulate DUI checkpoints

Monday, at 5:40 by

A Santa Rosa assemblyman is pushing a bill that would set rules for how police run DUI/license checkpoints, particularly targeting the impoundment of vehicles and being more specific about where the checkpoints will be. But the bill is generating some waves in the state’s law enforcement community. Assemblyman Michael Allen, a Democrat, said he was approached by social action committees from local churches about the fear Latinos have at the checkpoints and the possible impoundment of their cars for not… Read More »

Results of Santa Rosa DUI checkpoint

Tuesday, at 6:16 by

Here’s the scorecard from last weekend’s DUI/license checkpoint in Santa Rosa: –1,315 vehicles passed through the checkpoint. –42 drivers were screened for driver’s license status. –11 drivers were screened for field sobriety exams –9 drivers were arrested for not having license. –3 drivers were arrested for having suspended licenses, 1 of whom also was arrested on suspicion of resisting arrest. –5 vehicles were impounded for 30 days –3 traffic citations were issued. –0 DUI arrests The checkpoint Friday was on… Read More »

Santa Rosa DUI checkpoint tonight

Friday, at 6:23 by

Santa Rosa police tonight will set up a DUI/license checkpoint. The checkpoint will be from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. at a spot that police aren’t disclosing. “Our message is simple: If we catch you drunk, you will be arrested,” Police Sgt. Rich Celli said in a statement. The officers’ pay for the checkpoint is covered by the state Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.

Cellphone crackdown today

Thursday, at 6:00 by

Local police are cracking down today on drivers who not going hands-free with cellphones or are texting. It’s part of a month-long, zero-tolerance campaign by dozens of police agencies statewide to ticket drivers who are being distracted by using their cellphones, texting or even such things as eating or grooming. Most police agencies have joined in on specifically designated days, and today’s effort covers most of the Bay Area. Santa Rosa police today plan to have about 10 officers focused… Read More »