Posted by Legal_American on August 29, 2008 at 6:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Wow! This sounds like the local police department is making some good money. Is this something that is being done in others cities or does the City of Simi Valley just need more revenue?

Posted by ironwoman on August 29, 2008 at 6:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Legal_American- This is a safety issue. If you were walking down the street, wouldn't you want drivers to yield in order for you to be able to cross the street and/or give themselves some time to actually see the pedestrians?

It may or may be about revenue but I think it's immature to make a comment about law enforcements intentions to enforce basic laws.

This should happen more often.

Posted by tedmackel on August 29, 2008 at 7:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The police are out there every month. The sting is at the crosswalk that is half-way between Sycamore and Erringer on Cochran at Heather Street. The crosswalk is not controlled by a traffic light or stop sign. It's like shooting fish in a barrel.

Ted Mackel
http://www.simivalleyrealestatehome.com

Posted by bsnsmn on August 29, 2008 at 10:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Change the laws....give vehicles the right of way just like other states do. Vehicles are much larger and heavier and take way longer to stop than a pedestrian. The antiquated law needs to be updated, think how much gas everyone would save if 20 to 30 vehicles didn't get stopped for 1 pedestrian to cross the street.

I was driving down Royal Ave. in the right lane, there was a vehicle ahead of me in the left lane which made it's way into the center lane to turn left. I noticed the car slowing down (I started to slow as well as I was not sure why they were slowing) but when they made their move into the center lane it was clear to me why.....not fully though. There was a pedestrian J walking across Royal and was stopped in front of the vehicle turning left only problem was he was not visible soon enough for me to completely stop. Thankfully, I was already slowing because the other car was slowing. When the J walking law breaker noticed me slowing as well he gave me the "go ahead" hand signal, so I let off the brakes and proceeded down Royal only to get pulled over. The officer asked why I didn't completely stop (she noticed I did brake) and I told her the ped. signaled to me to go ahead. She didn't give me a ticket, but did give me a warning that no matter what the ped. signals, all vehicles have to stop as long as there is pedestrians in the roadway, legal or not! Just another example of why vehicles should have the right of way.

Posted by sparks240 on August 31, 2008 at 12:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

bsnsmn, If they change the law to your liking, does that mean that you will be able to run over those pesky J-walkers? Or do you want to be able to charge them for the dents their bodies put in the hood of your car?

Posted by SueSue on September 2, 2008 at 12:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

No matter where you live, if there is a person in the crosswalk and they do what they should do, which is to give the vehicle plenty time to see them, the vehicle is suppose to give that person the right of way.

I have lived in Arz. Ohio, Ind. Ill. & Texas, oh.. and California, so I've been in a few crosswalks across the country. California is THE most strict state that I know of that really goes after cars that DO NOT STOP COMPLETELY. Most places they just sort of slooowwww dowwwwwnnn.

The exception to the rule is, NEW YORK CITY !!!!. lol If you are in the crosswalk you better move your a** or they will let you know you're in their way. Been there, Done that city.

Some people here seem to be confused about the term "Jaywalking". Being in a crosswalk is not jaywalking, even if there is no stop sign or light. Jaywalking is when someone crosses the street OUTSIDE the "safety" of a crosswalk.

People just need to give the cars a chance to notice they are there if their isn't the safety of a light or sign.

Posted by bsnsmn on September 4, 2008 at 9:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Sparks240, yeah that's it! I want to be able to run over people just so I can charge them for my repairs. I'm totally ignorant of the benefits every commuter would gain by having the right of way in their vehicles, or that maybe, just maybe pedestrians would think twice before stepping out knowing they don't have the right of way anymore. Who cares about safety? Ca.'s boating laws have it right, maybe something for you to look at!

Posted by axel718 on September 4, 2008 at 12:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

bsnsmn......are you serious??? Give the the vehicles the right of way??? Most of the people in California should have their licenses taken away because they are clueless. They do not know how to drive and are completely ignorant to the rules of the road. The pedestrian has the right of way because of safety issues. Imagine a small child walking home from school and is in the crosswalk. With your idea the child now is nothing more than a moving target that will get run over. Yeah lets not wait for the child to cross the street, lets make sure that the 20-30 cars can speed down the street and make it to their destination. Maybe if you followed the speed limit and hang up the cell phone you would be dialed in to you surroundings. But I am sure you are way too important for that. Here is an idea why don't you drive on the sidewalk. There is less traffic and I am sure the pedestrians will get out of your way when they see you coming.

FYI...There is no other state that gives the vehicle the right of way. The law is that a pedestrian is responsible for their own safety...ie if they walk out in the middle of the street (no crosswalk) and get hit by a car then the pedestrian is at fault. THAT IS WHY THEY INVENTED CROSSWALKS!!!

Suesue.....NYC has the same pedestrian law as they do in California. There is no exception!! The drivers in NYC have to stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk just like here. Just because they yell and curse at the pedestrians doesnt mean that it is legal to run them over. Remember it is illegal to drive without a license in California but that happens a million times a day.

Posted by 2wheelsguy on September 4, 2008 at 8:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Kudos to the SVPD for making these careless lawbreakers pay the price. It's not about raising city revenues, it's about raising respect. Motorists need to respect pedestrians. Too many are killed by jerks and jerkettes blabbing on cell phones instead of watching the road.

Posted by axel718 on September 4, 2008 at 11:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Legal_American.....The police department does not get a dime from issuing citations......besides if you dont want a ticket don't BREAK THE LAW!!!

Posted by smithers on September 5, 2008 at 6:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thanks, SVPD, for a job very well done.

The ability of a pedestrian to cross a street, especially for a child, an adult with a child, or older and moving slower person, without being maimed by a drivers who are warm place-bent on vehicular homicide because they can't handle the pressures of work, being married, taking care of a child, living in organized society or the financial pressure of buying gas for their Hummer or Escalade is one of the more important issues facing Simi Valley.
These homicidal drivers are the ones who don't see (or can't read) the road signs that say "Welcome to Simi Valley - Slow Down and Relax" or words to that effect. Have you noticed the many drivers on Los Angeles Avenue, Madera, Cochran, and Kuehner, and to a lesser extent, Alamo, who think they are driving a cafe racer on Highway 2?

We live in Simi Valley because of the quality of life, and respecting the rights of pedestrians in cross walks is one aspect of that, sort of like the request of state and federal laws prohibiting us from discharging firearms in or near urban dwelling areas. But, the people who resent the ticketing of drivers failing to yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk are the very same peole who would fire off a few from the 9 mm or .45 on New Year's (or any other night of the year they are "in the mood".)
Thanks, SVPD!

Posted by bsnsmn on September 6, 2008 at 12:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

axel718,

Apparently you couldn't sense the sarcasm.
What makes you think I'm so ignorant that safety would be the last thing on my mind? Have you ever seen a person get hit by a car? I have.
You think I'm trying to advocate not having to stop for a child in a crosswalk? Really? I guess that makes you the ignorant one. I even commented on the pedestrians thinking twice about stepping into traffic if they knew they didn't have the right of way (a.k.a. "J-Walking"). How many times have you come to a complete stop when a J walker decides to cross and hold up 20 or 30 vehicles? I have stopped or tried to get stopped EVERY time. I bet you try to squeeze by don't you?
I was referring to a suggestion that crosswalks should not be set off by a single person if there is a certain amount of traffic. Its called synchronization, it's clear I didn't elaborate on that enough for you to get that.
You stated "The pedestrian has the right of way because of safety issues" which helps prove my point, who or what can stop faster? A pedestrian at a walking pace or a 4,000lb. vehicle doing 40?

"FYI...There is no other state that gives the vehicle the right of way. The law is that a pedestrian is responsible for their own safety...ie if they walk out in the middle of the street (no crosswalk) and get hit by a car then the pedestrian is at fault. THAT IS WHY THEY INVENTED CROSSWALKS!!!

In laymen's terms...THAT'S WHAT WE CALL VEHICLES HAVING THE RIGHT OF WAY! IT BY NO MEANS RELIEVES THE DRIVER OF RESPONSIBLE, SAFE DRIVING OR HAVING TOTAL DISREGARD FOR PEDESTRIANS IN OR OUT OF CROSSWALKS.

I'm glad you took the opportunity to tell all where you have experience in driving. Myself.....I have driven in almost every state, lived in Germany and commuted all over Europe for several years. I am also licensed to drive EVERY type of vehicle in the U.S. and hold ALL endorsements except the passenger endorsement of 12 or more occupants. I have also taken technical, offensive, defensive driving courses at the L.A.P.D. What have you done? Taken any AAA safe driver courses lately?

Two points.......(there is NO sarcasm here).............

#1 Take the right of way from pedestrians outside of crosswalks. (It would take away the attitude of "I can do it because traffic HAS to stop for me even though I'm breaking the law ").

#2 Synchronize crosswalks, ALL of them. (Go sit at the Rancho Park on Erringer and watch how many times 20 or more vehicles get stopped every few minute because of the intermittent amount of pedestrian traffic.

Oh and about the cell phone while driving? I've had all of my cell phones hardwired to my stereo (hands free) since 1994...how about you? I bet you just bought Bluetooth last month.

Posted by bsnsmn on September 6, 2008 at 12:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

BTW

1 speeding ticket at age 17 (a few decades ago) driving 56 m.p.h. down L.A. Ave in the 50 m.p.h. section at 11:00 P.M.

Posted by axel718 on September 11, 2008 at 1:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

bsnsmn......First of all don't break your arm patting yourself on the back.....Check the other comments on this board I wasn't the only one that missed your so called sarcasm.....I have seen numerous people hit by cars which is not a pretty sight. No I dont try to squeeze by when someone is in the crosswalk. I am never in that much of a hurry that I cant wait for someone to cross the street.

As far as my driving experience goes I too have driven through most of Europe (stationed in Germany for 8 years). I also have driven in southwest and southeast Asia. Driving in Korea and Saudi Arabia, Iraq is a completely different experience. I have transported mutimillion dollar aircraft as well as every conventional and nuclear weapon. I have taken technical, defensive and offensive driving courses as well as several others that I cant even mention. I do not have AAA and I dont own a blue tooth. Also a pedestrian does not have the right of way once they are out of the crosswalk. That is how a pedestrian can be at fault for a collision with a vehicle. But you would know that since you took a driving course at LAPD.

Kudos to you for being such a visionary that 14 years ago you were the first person to wire their cell phone through their car stereo. Too bad you didnt get the patent on that or you could have made millions.

BTW....zero tickets.....ever.