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LASER
/ RADAR GUNS
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Laser
speed measuring device provides traffic deputies with a new
tool for traffic enforcement. Laser dramatically extends range
of signal and enables traffic deputies to single out a particular
vehicle within a group in moving traffic.
In
addition to the new laser devices, radar equipment recently
received by the San Marcos Traffic Division is also proving
to be very effective. It operates in a frequency range which
most radar detectors either do not receive at all or receive
very poorly. These new tools are proving to be invaluable in
controlling speed violators and making the streets of San Marcos
safer.
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SEVERAL
NEW OCCUPANT PROTECTION LAWS HAVE BEEN PASSED
THAT WILL AFFECT CALIFORNIA DRIVERS IN 2004 AND 2005:
As
of January 1, 2004 the cost of a seat belt ticket more than tripled,
and now runs from $78 to $89 on a first offense. Legislation (AB 1625),
authored by Assemblyman John Benoit, allows penalty assessments and
court costs to be added on top of a base fine. In essence, what previously
cost $22.50 on a first offense will now run more than three times
that amount. Drivers will also face penalties if passengers are not
safely buckled.
The
following law was passed in 2003 and will take effect in 2005: Children
who are required to be secured in safety seats (under 6 years old
or weighing less than 60lbs) will have to ride in the rear seat of
a passenger vehicle (AB 1697/Pavley). There are several exemptions,
including cases where:
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there are other children in the back seat
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a
restraint system cannot properly be installe
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there
is no rear seat
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the
rear seat is rear-facing or side-facing
Infants less than
one year of age or weighing less than 20 pounds must ride in the back,
no exceptions, if there is an active passenger air bag in the front
seat. A first offense is punishable by a fine of $100; second offenses
will cost $250 (Vehicle Code: section 27360.5).
(Source: CA Office
of Traffic Safety http://test-www.ots.ca.gov/seatbelt/seatbelt.asp)
Also, see http://www.dmv.ca.gov/about/leg/leginfo.htm
TRAFFIC
SAFETY
The statistics for 2002 have been analyzed and the following report
concerning Traffic Safety has been released. Here are some of the
highlights:
Every year, nearly
75 percent of fatal and injury-combined collisions involve the top
five Primary Collision Factors (PCF): driving under the influence
(DUI), speed, auto right-of-way, stop signs and signals, and improper
turning.
Alcohol is the
number one PCF in fatal crashes. The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) estimates two out of every five drivers will
be involved in an alcohol related collision during their lifetime.
Speed is consistently
the top PCF annually for fatal and injury collisions. As the speed
of the vehicle increases, so does the probability of injuries and
deaths if the vehicle is involved in a collision.
(Source:
http://test-www.ots.ca.gov/publications/word/04-PT.doc#page=1)
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