Posted by pedestrian, a resident of the Menlo Park: Downtown neighborhood, on Mar 20, 2013 at 10:51 am

My family regularly walks around town. We see a lot of cars running stop signs and even stop lights, sometimes without even looking or slowing. A lot of these reckless drivers are visibly talking hold a cell phone to their ear when they blow through the stop light. The cops need to crack down every day, not just once a year. More innocent people are killed by reckless driving than by street crime.

Posted by Scholar, a resident of the Menlo Park: Sharon Heights neighborhood, on Mar 20, 2013 at 12:29 pm

You can tell who is texting because they are staring at their laps at red lights and they don't move with the traffic flow because they are busy looking down.

Posted by Ralph, a resident of the Atherton: other neighborhood, on Mar 20, 2013 at 12:34 pm

I would like to see them enforce the rules applicable to bicyclists who ignore stop signs, ride on sidewalks and against traffic.

Posted by fairness, a resident of the Menlo Park: other neighborhood, on Mar 20, 2013 at 1:09 pm

It would be nice if the POLICE followed all the traffic rules as well. If normal citizens are given tickets for turning during the wrong hours to keep traffic flowing, why does it make sense the police exempt themselves from the same laws. Granted, if it was an emergency... but just for their convenience? NO!

As for this crackdown, POLICE should not be using their communication devices while on the move.... unless it's an emergency.

Posted by Trelis, a resident of the Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park neighborhood, on Mar 20, 2013 at 1:25 pm

Traffice problems in my area in the morning are ridiculous. Drivers cross the double line, block intersections and ignore the rules of the road. We have a stop light at one intersection that has "stop here". Meaning we have two lines, one to stop to turn right and one for pedestrians. the "Stop Here" sign is there to have drivers stop at the first white line instead of the pedestrian line BEFORE turning right. But without understanding of this rule people sit there until the light turns green. Drivers with many infractions should have to take the driver's test EVERY year!!!

Posted by SteveC, a resident of the Menlo Park: Downtown neighborhood, on Mar 20, 2013 at 1:44 pm
SteveC is a member (registered user) of Almanac Online

I agree tha it should be every day. The police are driving aroun, enforce the rules at all times

Posted by Menlo Voter, a resident of the Menlo Park: other neighborhood, on Mar 20, 2013 at 1:53 pm

fairness:

the police are exempt from the hands free law.

Posted by whatever, a resident of the Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park neighborhood, on Mar 20, 2013 at 5:03 pm

And when was the last time we saw someone get a ticket for turning or changing lanes w/o using their turn signal? Now that would get a good amount of revenue.

Posted by Be reasonable., a resident of the Menlo Park: other neighborhood, on Mar 20, 2013 at 5:50 pm

Ok what is the danger with looking at your phone while stopped at a Red light?

Phones while driving can be fatal, but no one is getting hurt at a red light.

Posted by Bob, a resident of the Menlo Park: Downtown neighborhood, on Mar 20, 2013 at 9:38 pm

I see plenty of people being distracted while they drive -- texting, talk on their phone, dogs sitting in the driver's lap, putting on make up, shaving, etc. And I see enough people doing "rolling stops" at stop signs, and yellow lights mean step on the gas.

If officials really wanted to change these behaviors then the consequences would be more serious. Right now people are willing to change getting caught.

Posted by Bob, a resident of the Menlo Park: Downtown neighborhood, on Mar 20, 2013 at 9:45 pm

to Be reasonable -

It's called being distracted. You are not being aware of your surroundings. While there may be times you can glance at your phone, there are others who will feel the need to text back or answer a quick email, etc. This is being distracted. 99% of the time it can wait.

Posted by Donald, a resident of another community, on Mar 21, 2013 at 8:41 am

If you turn off your engine and put your transmission in Park at a red light before looking at your phone, then it is OK. Otherwise you are still operating a motor vehicle and are responsible for it. If you are typing a text and accidentally ease up on the brake you could roll into a pedestrian in the crosswalk.