Weekly Tip - School Zone Traffic Laws

The Arcadia Police Department Traffic Bureau hopes this 2012-2013 school year will be exciting and successful. With that in mind, we would like to remind all students and parents of the shared responsibility they have in understanding and obeying traffic laws that help maintain safety in and around our school zones. For this purpose, we have provided a list of the most commonly violated traffic laws in our City’s school zones, allowing you to make a conscious and informed effort to create a safe environment for your fellow students, and or your children.

PARKING LAWS

California Vehicle Code section 21458(a) describes rules for curb markings.

1. RED Curb indicates no stopping, standing, or parking, whether the vehicle is attended or unattended, (No Student Drop Off or Pick Up in Red Zones)

2. YELLOW
Curb indicates stopping for the loading or unloading of passengers or freight (20 Minutes For Material & 3 Minutes For Passengers)
3. WHITE Curb indicates stopping for the loading or unloading of passengers (3 Minutes for Passengers)

4. GREEN Curb indicates time limit parking specified by local ordinance (24 & 30 Minute Zones)

5. BLUE Curb indicates parking limited exclusively to the vehicles of disabled persons

V.C. 22500(H) DOUBLE PARKING
Prohibits stopping, parking, or standing of any attended/unattended vehicle on the roadway side of any vehicle stopped, parked or standing at the curb or edge of a highway (Often seen as parents drop off/pick up children in the lanes of traffic)

V.C. 22500(b) Park in Cross Walk
Prohibits the stopping, parking, or standing of any attended/unattended vehicle in a crosswalk

V.C. 22500(e) Park in Front of Public Drive
Prohibits stopping, parking, or standing of any attended/unattended vehicle in front of a public driveway

V.C. 22500(i) Bus Zone
Prohibits stopping, parking, or standing of any attended/unattended vehicle alongside a curb authorized for the loading and unloading of passengers of a bus, when indicated by a sign or red paint on the curb.

V.C. 22502 Parking Over 18” from Right Hand Side of Curb / Parking on Wrong Side of Street
Every vehicle stopped or parked upon a roadway…shall be stopped or parked with the right hand wheels of such vehicle parallel with and within 18 inches of the right-hand curb, except that motorcycles shall be parked with at least one wheel or fender touching the right-hand curb.

V.C. 22514 Park Near Fire Hydrant
No person shall stop, park, or leave standing any vehicle within 15 feet of a fire hydrant. EXCEPT, If the vehicle is attended by a licensed driver who is seated in the front seat and who can immediately move such vehicle in case of necessity.

Side Note—If the curb next to the fire hydrant is painted red, the vehicle stopping or parking to facilitate student pickup or drop off could still be cited for stopping/parking in a red zone


Enforcement

Officers commonly enforce parking laws in school zones by means of video enforcement. Officers may use video cameras to record violations as they occur and then mail the registered owner of the violating vehicle a citation for the observed violation. It is important to remember that the registered owner is the person receiving the citation, not the driver of the vehicle. The registered owner is responsible to resolve the citation. If parking citations are not cleared, either by dismissal or payment, the registered owner may not be able to renew their vehicle’s registration until the citation has been cleared by the DMV. Vehicles that have five or more citations on file are subject to impound, per California Vehicle Code section 22651(i)(1). The enforcement of parking restrictions and traffic laws in our school zones helps maintain vehicle and pedestrian safety, reminds drivers and pedestrians of their responsibility to share the roadway, and hopefully serves as a deterrent to prevent persons from future rule breaking.

MOVING & NON-MOVING VIOLATIONS

V.C. 22101(d) Disobey Traffic Control Devices (No Left Turn, No Turn on Red, Yield, or No U-turn Signs at an Intersection)
When official traffic control devices are placed as required in subdivision (b) or (c), it shall be unlawful for any driver of a vehicle to disobey the directions of such official traffic control devices

V.C. 21461(a) Failure to Obey a Posted Sign (No left turn, No U-Turn, No Student Drop Off Signs, etc)
It is unlawful for a driver of a vehicle to fail to obey a sign or signal, or to fail to obey a device erected or maintained by lawful authority of a public body or official.

V.C. 22103 No U-turn in Residential District
No person in a residential district shall make a U-turn when any other vehicle is approaching from either direction within 200 feet, except at an intersection when the approaching vehicle is controlled by an official traffic control device.

V.C. 21950(a) Drivers Yield to Pedestrians in Cross Walk
The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right of way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.

V.C. 21950(b) Pedestrian to Exercise Due Care
This section does not relieve a pedestrian from the duty of using due care for his or her safety. No pedestrian may suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle that is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard. No pedestrian may unnecessarily stop or delay traffic while in a marked or unmarked crosswalk.

V.C. 21950(c) Drivers to Exercise Due Care
The driver of a vehicle approaching a pedestrian within any marked or unmarked crosswalk shall exercise all due care and shall reduce the speed of the vehicle or take any other action relating to the operation of the vehicle as necessary to safeguard the safety of pedestrians

V.C. 21954(a) Pedestrians Outside of Crosswalks
Every pedestrian upon a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right of way to all vehicles upon the roadway so near as to constitute an immediate hazard.

V.C. 21955 Jaywalking
Pedestrians shall not cross the roadway at any place except in a crosswalk between adjacent intersections controlled by traffic control signal devices or by police officers. (Example: Duarte Road between Santa Anita & El Monte = Jaywalking)

V.C. 21100.3 Disobey a Crossing Guard
It is unlawful for any person to disobey the traffic directions of a person appointed or authorized by local authority to regulate traffic pursuant to subdivision (e) of Section 21000 when such appointee is wearing an official insignia issued by the local authority and is acting in the course of his appointed duties.

V.C. 22350 Unsafe Speed (School Zone)
When signs are posted for a “School Zone—When Children Present”, the speed limit is reduced to 25 MPH. This applies whenever children are present (Before, During & After School).

V.C. 23123(a) Talking on Cell Phone While Driving (18 + = Adult) & V.C. 23124 Cell Phone Under 18 Yrs.
Adult shall not drive a vehicle while using a wireless telephone, unless hands free. Minors may not use cell or hands free device.

V.C. 23123.5 Texting While Driving
A person shall not drive a motor vehicle while using an electronic wireless communication device to write, send or read texts.

H&S 118948(a) Smoking in Vehicle
It is unlawful for a person to smoke a pipe, cigar, or cigarette in a motor vehicle, whether in motion or at rest, in which there is a minor (someone under 18 years old). For the purpose of this section, “To smoke” means to have in one’s immediate possession a lighted pipe, cigar, or cigarette containing tobacco or any other plant.


Seatbelt Laws

The driver and all occupants of a moving vehicle must properly wear safety belts, as they were designed to be worn. The shoulder strap must be worn over shoulders, not under.

V.C. 21212(a) Helmet Laws
Persons under 18 years of age must wear a properly fitted and fastened helmet for bicycles, skateboards, roller

This flyer can also be viewed on the AUSD website.  

Sgt. Brett Bourgeous Traffic Bureau (626)574-5475

Weekly Activity Highlights for August 12 - 18, 2012

http://www.ci.arcadia.ca.us/docs/weekly_8.12.12.pdf

Weekly Tip - Back to School

Arcadia schools start back in session next week: Arcadia High School on Tuesday, August 28th and the elementary/middle schools return on Wednesday, August 29th.  The Arcadia Unified School District calendars can be found HERE.  This means that we need to be aware of our children during our commutes during the day.  Allow extra time for your drive if you pass near a school.  Traffic will be heavier than normal during the first few weeks of school as parents grow accustomed to drop-off and pick-up routes for our schools.  Be part of the solution, not the problem!

•Slow down!
•Allow extra time for your travel.
•Be alert for pedestrians and bicyclists.
•Don't double park or violate parking restrictions!

HERE is a list of School Zone Traffic Laws.

News Release - ADW/Stabbing

Incident: Assault with a Deadly Weapon - Stabbing
Date and Time of Release: August 19, 2012, 4:30 a.m.

The Arcadia Police Department had officers at a local hospital in the early morning hours of Sunday, August 19, 2012 on a prior investigation.

The officers saw a victim of a stabbing brought in by family members. Officers contacted the victim, a 43-year-old male Hispanic from Arcadia, while he was being treated for several stab wounds to his chest, back, and left arm. The victim said he was exercising at Eisenhower Park, in Arcadia, when he came across a male and female arguing. He intervened and stopped the argument. As the victim was walking away, he was rushed from behind and felt what he described as a poke on his back. The victim turned around and the suspect stabbed the victim in the chest. The victim put up his left arm in an attempt to defend from being stabbed again, but the suspect slashed the victims’ arm. The suspect then ran off into the park. The victim said he did not see what the suspect used to stab him, but believes it was a knife. The victim said the stabbing took place sometime after midnight on Sunday August 19, 2012.

The victim described the suspect as a male Hispanic in his thirties with dark short hair and a thin beard with no mustache. The suspect was further described as being 5’10 weighing 140 pounds with a medium build. The suspect was wearing dark colored jeans with a long sleeve red shirt and had a black backpack on.

The investigation is continuing by Arcadia Police Department Detectives. Anyone with information related to this case is asked to call the Arcadia Police Department at (626)574-5150. You can also submit crime tips and information via text, phone, or web to LA Regional Crime Stoppers, 800-222-TIPS (8477).

Robert T. Guthrie, Chief of Police

By: Lieutenant Mike Castro
Operations Division

Refer Case #12-3794

Weekly Tip - Pedestrians, Crosswalks, & Right-of-Way

A common concern that comes to the attention of the Traffic Bureau is drivers failing to yield to pedestrians. Pedestrian actions as well as drivers actions are governed by the Vehicle Code. Drivers must yield to pedestrians at crosswalks and intersections, even when there is no marked crosswalk. Use caution when approaching a crosswalk and if you have time to safely stop, yield to the pedestrian waiting to cross. Remember, if the pedestrian has made eye contact with you, they are probably ready to cross. If the roadway is divided, allow the pedestrian to walk past the center line or median before pulling through. If it is an undivided roadway, allow the pedestrian to walk well past the half way point in the road. Always check the curbs and look to see if someone is "darting" off the curb or entering the crosswalk late. Drivers and pedestrians both need to exercise caution and courtesy. Never pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk. Approach with caution and make sure the roadway and crosswalk have cleared.

Turning traffic at intersections is also dangerous for pedestrians. Even though you may have a green as a driver, you must still yield to pedestrians. Drivers making right turns must look and allow the pedestrian to step off on the green. Drivers making left turns across the intersection must make sure that not only is oncoming traffic clear, but that there are not pedestrians in the crosswalk in the path of their turn. Again, use courtesy and common sense. If the ped is well across the intersection or past the median point, you may complete your turn. If the ped is approaching you or on your side of the roadway, YIELD to them!

The DMV has a page dedicated to right of way rules regarding pedestrians, crosswalks, and other situations. Take a look for additional information.

Pedestrians outside of a crosswalk or unmarked intersection are also held responsible by the Vehicle Code. The pedestrian may only cross the road when safe to do so and must yield to traffic. The pedestrian may not cross between two signalized intersections. This is what is known as "jaywalking".

New Patch for APD Uniforms

You won't see yellow or gold thread on shoulder patches of  Arcadia Police Officers any longer.  Our uniform standards were updated and changes were implemented this past Sunday, August 12, 2012.  The most notable difference is in color modifications to the uniform patch, from the bright multi-color threads to the more subtle, silver and black color scheme.  The last major change to the Arcadia Police Department shoulder patch came decades ago when the City of Arcadia became known as the "Community of Homes", formerly named the "Queen City".  The patches for all sworn and full-time  members have been changed and the older style shoulder patch will be phased out for our volunteer staff in the near future.

Arcadia Police Officers have worn dark blue uniforms since late 1986 when the Department swapped out the tan uniform for a more industry standard blue.  Other uniform modifications over the years have included several badge changes from the old style "eagle" badge to a more contemporary shield, as well as a centennial star badge worn in 2003.

This type of change is not done overnight.  A committee of personnel representing both sworn and non-sworn members of the Department worked in excess of a year to make recommendations for both physical and policy modifications for our uniforms.  Uniformity, safety, cost, accessibility, and tradition were some of the many considerations made by the group and by Chief Bob Guthrie.  Congrats and thank you on a job well done!

(Shift change, Sunday, August 12, 2012, retirement of gold/yellow shoulder patch.)

Weekly Activity Highlights for July 29 - August 4, 2012

http://www.ci.arcadia.ca.us/docs/weekly_7.29.12.pdf

Weekly Tip - Stop Signs

How many times a day do you come upon a stop sign? Stop signs are everywhere in our community and are sometimes ignored or not adhered to properly by drivers. California Vehicle Code (CVC) section 22450 defines the requirement for stop signs in California. The law is fairly simple; if there is a stop sign posted with a limit line, stop at the limit line. If there is no limit line, but there is a crosswalk, stop at the line prior to entering the crosswalk. If there are no lines in the street, stop even with the stop sign before entering the intersection or making a turn.

One of the most common statements by a driver after being stopped for running a stop sign is that they did stop. The first questions to ask yourself as a driver in that situation are: "Where did I stop?" and "Did I come to a complete stop?" Our local court has made it clear and says that a driver must stop at the limit line, stop sign or crosswalk, and not a car length back or beyond the line.

Other common stopping violations include: failing to stop when turning, a rolling stop, and following the car in front of you through a stop sign when in traffic. Each vehicle is required to come to a full and complete stop. Don't sneak through on a turn or next to the car in the other lane. A lawful and complete stop is not a "California roll". A complete stop is when there is a complete "cessation" of movement. Please adhere to stop signs and recognize that they are in place for your safety and the safety of all other persons on the road.

Weekly Activity Highlights for July 22-28, 2012

http://www.ci.arcadia.ca.us/docs/weekly_7.22.12.pdf

Weekly Tip - Install Your License Plates

California law requires all registered vehicles that were issued two license plates, properly display both plates on the vehicle. Basically, all street legal cars are required to have two plates. Many times, vehicles may be purchased from dealerships that do not install a front license plate mount to the vehicle. This is not an excuse for failing to properly display and mount the license plate. A driver may be stopped and cited for not having license plates properly displayed.  Some communities, like Arcadia, issue parking citations to vehicles that are parked without plates properly affixed. Simply having the plate in your car or tossing it on the dash board does not suffice. Please install your license plates according to CVC 5200 and CVC 5201.  The law was modified in 2011 to also require the plates be mounted so that the characters are upright and display from left to right.  Take a look at the links provided for specific language from the California Department of Motor Vehicles.