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Myth Busters revisited: Don't fall for these traffic misconceptions


Monday, October 20, 2008 10:12 AM PDT

Comments (21 comment(s))

Now that we are in the autumn season, I thought it was time for another addition of Traffic Myth Busters.

As long as a bike rider under the age of 18 has a helmet on their head, they are not in violation of the law requiring helmets.

A lot of young riders mistakenly believe that it is alright to ride with the helmet chinstrap unbuckled. If the helmet is not secured properly, the helmet will be of little use during an accident or a fall. It is a violation of 21212(a) V.C. if the chinstrap is not buckled properly and the bicycle rider can be cited.

It's OK to sneak that right turn in while the school crossing guard is looking the other way.

School crossing guards have a thankless and dangerous job. They are dedicated individuals who have the best interest of the children and parents at heart. When they blow their whistle and enter the crosswalk and/or intersection, they are in charge of the intersection. If you disregard their direction, you are violating 21100.3 V.C.

Double parking in front of the school or leaving your car unattended in the drop-off zone is allowed as long as it's just for a couple of minutes.

Please be considerate of other parents, students and drivers. Don't block the lane or use the drop-off zones for anything other than what they were intended for. Traffic officers respond to these types of complaints frequently, as they pose a serious danger to pedestrians.

As long as you don't see any children standing around the school, you can exceed the 25 mph speed limit.

22352 V.C. states that you must slow to 25 mph when children are going to or leaving school, or during the noon recess period. This section also applies to a center used by senior citizens.

Bike stunts are allowed in the X Games — why not here?

For obvious safety reasons, no one should ride on the handlebars or stand on the pegs of a bike even if they are just giving a friend a ride home from school. 21204 V.C. covers this.

You can cross over double yellow lines to pass a very slow moving vehicle as long as it is safe.

It's frustrating to chug along behind a vehicle or piece of equipment moving 10 or 15 MPH, but it is much safer and you won't get a ticket if you wait until it is legal to pass.

Drivers who put the cell phone up to their right ear instead of their left ear as they drive are not violating the new law.

It's a violation no matter which ear you're using.

Football season is here, so it's legal to replace my front license plate with a "Raider Nation" or "49er Faithful" placard.

Sorry, Bay Area sports fans, every vehicle in the state of California must have a DMV-issued front license plate. Officers can stop you if you don't have a plate on the front of your car. Go, Steelers.

Questions and comments for Behind the Badge can be e-mailed to jbiskup@pd.lodi.gov; or mailed to Jeanie Biskup, Lodi Police Department, 215 W. Elm St., Lodi, CA 95240, phone 333-6864.

Reader Feedback

edumacation wrote on Oct 25, 2008 2:40 PM:

" To t & C: Good posts! Its called selective enforcement. Another example are the brothels masquerading as massage parlors. People visit from all over the central valley to visit these ladies and they are protected by the LPD. There are dozens of pages in the city laws about the does and don't of these businesses. It makes me wonder how many officers own the businesses or are tied in some how. Recently, there was a story in the LNS about a Craigs list harlot ring in Lodi. Why open one of these brothels in Stockton if they knmow they will get raided. Come one down to the homeless, brothel, illegal alien and gangbanger sanctuary of the central Valley, Lodi, California. Wwe are so proud of our grapes, gangs homeless and hookers. We even have our own little lodi Terrorist cell, two have already been convicted. Federal government agencies (FBI, ATF, DEA and ICE) think this town is a joke because our police protect criminals. But never forget to put on your seatbelt. Thats a code 3 radio call. LOL "

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T & C wrote on Oct 25, 2008 9:01 AM:

" I believe that the CITY OF LODI DOESN'T want a class action lawsuit filed by a high priced Lawyer on behalf of the homeless for "VIOLATING their CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS!" Therefore, LPD does their best to Tolerate the Homeless and their activities! No one seems to be curious as to how so many homeless have bicycles and cell phones? LMC 9.08 Gives LPD the authority to enforce the No trespassing signs across from 10 S. Main Street and by tomorrow at 10 S. Main Street itself! Patrol checks of this street, even if only 4 spread over every other hour is not asking much and this would drive the message home that they are trespassing, ESP. after 1 P.M. every day. But instead, LPD shuffles them off once and they return to the same 2 spots! This is especially true after 6 PM where it is "CONVENIENTLY dark and they can sit on their butts, stand, or sit in the CHAIRS they bring and drink! "Yes some bring their own chairs. They look at their gathering as a party." I was told signs needed to be posted! Now they Are? What next? "

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T & C wrote on Oct 25, 2008 8:54 AM:

" Just as 10 S. Main Street is the "Adopted" Congregation location for the homeless, where fights, drinking, and drug activity goes on and is basically ignored by LPD, what makes any reader believe a "Drop-in Center" would be any different? Maybe more "Low-Key", but that is the best you can hope for. It is sad to see the Homeless LOITER continuously in one spot and "LITTER" as much as they do. The only reason South Main Street looks as CLEAN as it does is BECAUSE I sweep both sides of that BLOCK every other day! Having broken my back twice, this is not an easy task for me to voluntarily do, But I live here, and my street doesn't have to look like a pig pen, just because it is a low-income block! The temporary solution for my street, is to ENFORCE the "No Trespassing" Ordinance and these people will find a NEW PLACE to gather. It is not a permanent fix solution. But the community and police working together, are supposed to solve problems as they arise! I do NOT see LPD doing their part! Continued.... "

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T & C wrote on Oct 25, 2008 8:47 AM:

" Shuffling along these homeless people who do not care about anyone but themselves IS THE JOB of LPD, as "Non-Exciting" as it seems, when No Tresspassing signs are clearly visible! Yet LPD moves them along once, and then FAILS to cruise by later to see if they are still loitering. The "Helping Hand Up program is commendable, and for sure leaves a feel good impression in one's heart that "Maybe we really are helping those less fortunate, but that money goes to "Smokes, booze and or drugs and few will say different. Its just how it is." Now if a homeless person were to use that money for a bus ticket to relocate to a relative, so that they had shelter, food and a fresh start, I would be supportive. But since the homeless are on our streets, January to December, I do not see this happening. I have heard that some group in Lodi is trying to provide a "Drop-in center" for the homeless! Unless this location is "Babysitted" by LPD while it is open, this is NOT a good idea. Continued... "

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T & C wrote on Oct 25, 2008 8:40 AM:

" The "Hand Up" Program for the "Homeless" On the surface appears to be a "Positive Tool" to helping those who truly have fallen to the wayside due to circumstances many times their fault! But one has to ask themselves this question: If someone really doesn't want to be homeless, they have safe shelter at the Salvation Army, a meal, shower, and bed "IF" they check in by a certain time, are not DRUNK OR HIGH! That's not very much to ask of someone. But at 10 S. Main Street and across from 10 S. Main St. are 6-15 homeless who "Loiter, litter and drink" (7) days a week, ESPECIALLY after 6 pm! They loiter well past midnight! Their friends come and go on bicycles, and chat on their cell phones before they dash off to "Do something very important"! NO TRESPASSING SIGNS are posted ACROSS from 10 S. Main St.; and a sign will be posted shortly at the closed chinese cafe as well. This means the Homeless are TRESPASSING regardless of what side of the street the homeless are loitering at. Continued... "

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edumacation wrote on Oct 24, 2008 8:46 PM:

" I have an idea! Maybe the LPD cops are just counting years, months, weeks, days, hours until they can retire. What a way to waste a lifetime. the homies aren't afraid since Lodi is a sanctuary city for vagrants, gangbangers and "the lost". "

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edumacation wrote on Oct 24, 2008 8:42 PM:

" To T & C: I agree. I looked at the weekly crime map in the LNS and it linked to LODI City laws. It is amazing that one can observe gangbangers on bicycles breaking every rule in the book, no license, on the wrong side of the road, riding on the sidwalks, no illumination at night, no reflectors, no helmets and drinking booze or smoking pot. All ages from 6 year olds to old men. You can watch them rifle the peoples trash, climb into peoples back yards, sleep along the sidewalks and parks, and the LPD is sitting warming the comfy office chairs or patrol car seats.

Its all over the east side. One day I saw an LPD patrol car almost collide with two bicyclists driving in the wrong direction, right down the center of the street. Maybe the cops were yakking on cell phones or texting. Welcome to Mayberry RFD. Barney please put that gun away or you might hurt someone. Goober its time to wake up, the shift is over. "

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T & C wrote on Oct 24, 2008 4:31 PM:

" I se ethe homeless walking away form the "No trespassing" sign area across from 10 S. Main Street at about 3 P.M. when the police pulled up, but they are back again, "Trespassing". It is a shame the LPD cannot drive by for a "Patrol Check" and cite these people who bring their own chairs and sit on someone elses property, drinking and smoking pot, for hours on end as they pass the bottle in a black plastic bag around, ever watchful for the police. I was told the police needed "No Trespassing signs posted along the Chain link fence and that was done. The officer at the front desk told me they can be ordered to move along and this too has been done several times, to no avail. How many times must these homeless people who don't care are cited? "

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LodiJoe wrote on Oct 24, 2008 4:27 PM:

" Wake up people ! EVERY law enforcement agency is far more focused on issuing revenue generating citations than catching crooks that cost them time and money. As with every American enterprise, private, government or anything else it is ALWAYS about the money. "

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T & C wrote on Oct 23, 2008 7:53 PM:

" I would like to thank LPD for responding to my Complaint at the front desk this evening regarding the CONTINUOUS LOITERING of homeless people across from 10 S. Main street, bringing their own chairs, debris, and booze day after day, week after week! The owner of the Cherry Plant erected "No Trespassing" signs, in order to give the police the power to "Move them along"! After requesting additional patrol checks, all the homeless were moved along if only for one day! Hopefully, LPD will stay on top of the issue of Homeless loitering and drinking across from 10 S. Main Street. S. Main street is not the best street to live on but these people who have chosen from 11 A.M. to 2 A.M. to loiter, drink, litter and fight really need to take their chairs and locate somewhere else. Anyways, Thank you LPD. for at least responding to my complaint. "

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edumacation wrote on Oct 22, 2008 10:15 AM:

" To T & C: If you are using Windows try using a protocol analyzer like wireshark or a graphical display like Omnipath or NetVU. "

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edumacation wrote on Oct 22, 2008 10:07 AM:

" To T & C: These "typos' didn't exist in the draft. Something happens between the Lee enterprises "townnews" servers in Iowa and Montana. I will run some tests and let you know. It might be a function of time delays? This website is actually 192.104.182.100, but the posts are on anywhere from 192.104.182.0 - 192.104.231.255. In addition multiple ports are used depending on the feature set used. "

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T & C wrote on Oct 22, 2008 9:28 AM:

" edumacation wrote on Oct 21, 2008 8:54 PM:

"One hseriff bragged to me how his car was stolen from his driveway at home. Buy he really makes me feel safe?"

edumacation??? I am losing confidence in you that anything you type is worth reading if you can't spell simple words! What the H*LL is a hseriff and what is a Buy? Please give me your E-Mail addy and I will promptly send you back a free download Dictionary! "

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T & C wrote on Oct 22, 2008 9:25 AM:

" I have a lot of respect for the LPD! They have a very tough job to do... from the homeless addicts, to the gang bangers, to the illegals, and every other criminal type. I give LPD a 90% which is way higher then I would give Stockton PD. I just feel LPD doesn't have the resources to clamp down on the cell phone drivers. If they were to clamp down, it would be like they do to the shopping cart problem! Round them up for 1-2 times per year and make the papers, then ignore the problem. Its just the way it is! "

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T & C wrote on Oct 22, 2008 9:22 AM:

" I see many drivers still holding their cell phone to their ear. One only has to park on a lot at any stop light and count the number of drivers holding their cell phones driving. But this is a LOW priority to the police! "

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edumacation wrote on Oct 21, 2008 8:54 PM:

" To dogs4you: I strongly support police officers, not careerist pencil pushers. All they have to do, is maybe ONE day of the week, get off the fanny sitting at a desk or in a cruiser, and WALK the beats such as in East Lodi. Anytime of the day or night, but especially after 9 pm until 6 am. How can they miss the crimes? One hseriff bragged to me how his car was stolen from his driveway at home. Buy he really makes me feel safe? "

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dogs4you wrote on Oct 21, 2008 7:19 PM:

" From the comments posted, the people doing the posting don`t think much of the LPD. If the VC 21212 (a) is correct, nit picking sounds like the kids are criminals. I certainally hope the PD doesn`t find their job to dangerous that the wouldn`t stop to face down a bad guy, there is always back-up and if the PD has a K-9 with him, case closed, nobody wants to get bit by a dog. Then again there is always a Taser. If the gangbanger is over a certain age a helmet isn`t necessary, though he would good under neath a car. "

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edumacation wrote on Oct 21, 2008 6:24 PM:

" I reread your article and found another crime of crimes...shudder. No front license plates! Like in the TV drama Hawaii FIVE O. Bookem Dano! Give me a break. Looking for crime? Go to the corner of Lodi and Cherokee. you will se a used car lot with large sign reading "No credito, no licensia, no problema". Don't you think that there is a possibility of citing a NON-LICENSED driver on a test drive? The sign has been there for years. The drivers are all over lodi, no licencia no problema. "

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edumacation wrote on Oct 21, 2008 4:37 PM:

" Your department statistics indicate there are hundreds of ACTIVE gangbangers in Lodi. Do you think they are all watching Novellas? Where are the arrest statistics? Maybe these gangbangers are all good little boys and girls? Or most liklely, you are worried about the political correctness of the arrests. I have heard excuses. we bust them and they are out of French Camp tomorrow,why bother? We don't have enough resources. Try using your eyes. "

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edumacation wrote on Oct 21, 2008 4:33 PM:

" Recommendation: Get out of your office and out of the patrol car and walk the east side at night. You might observe some real crimes. "

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edumacation wrote on Oct 21, 2008 4:30 PM:

" To Lt Chris Piombo: I am impressed with your knowledge of 21212(a) V.C. "if the chinstrap is not buckled properly and the bicycle rider CAN be cited."

Perhaps you might take a peek at California Penal Code section 186.22.

a) Any person who actively participates in any criminal
street gang with knowledge that its members engage in or have engaged
in a pattern of criminal gang activity, and who willfully promotes,
furthers, or assists in any felonious criminal conduct by members of
that gang, shall be punished by imprisonment in a county jail for a
period not to exceed one year, or by imprisonment in the state prison
for 16 months, or two or three years.

I know you want to protect children riding bicycles. But don't you realize that gun and knife wielding gang members are violating a law with FELONY sentencing? Why the emphasis on kiddies on bicycles, when we have CRIMINALS on bikes cruising around our streets selling dope and stealing? Why the lack of enforcement of PC 186.22? Is it too dangerous to face bad guys? BTW the gangbangers don't wear helmets or have running lights. Duh? "

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