Comments on: California ranked No. 4 on traffic laws

By: Danee WEST

Danee WEST — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 02:10:25 +0000

California has to have many laws for driving so they can be enforced and warn everyone else to not do those things. We need many laws because we are a huge economy. Although our unemployment rate is high, we have many employed that drive to work. Some have far commutes and some have short ones. Bigger cities such as LA, San Diego, and San Francisco, house huge buildings with thousands of employees working at all hours of the day. With this type of employment come higher incomes that allow many people to travel for vacations. Many people flock to Rio or Las Vegas areas on weekend trips. California never sleeps. There is always traffic on the roads, there will always be. As for congestion, that depends on day of the week and hour. (This is why I’m going into the Traffic field… job demand and stability, plus high pay for low labor.)

Although some may want to see teens not driving so late, it is hard because of how responsible our teens must be. Today teens are involved in many community events, school activities, or taking care of their family. They are driving all the time to fulfill their commitments.
Parents are always working and are therefore unable to be driving their children around. California’s buss system is inadequate. (Due to the fact that cars were more popular before transportation systems were need for a growing population. Back in New York, cities were full grown before the automobile craze. Once automotives were invented they created mass transportation systems. Just because some teens are irresponsible, does not mean all of the other teens making a difference in the world should be held back.

As for our “forgotten children,” it is true. There is only so much you can enforce. It would be near impossible to enforce a law that would require preteen identification, weight scales, and measuring tapes. To make young children who are barley learning to read and add carry legal identification is crazy. Kids need to be able to grow up on there time. Not adult time. Making police take each child out and be weighted and measured for a little ticket is not the most pressing issue that our police should be occupied with. Police ticket parents who children are obviously endangered by not being placed in a car seat. Yes we need to remember our “forgotten children” but lets not make crazy laws that can never be enforce. Lets not waste our time; let’s make a difference with our time. We should still educate all and especially our young about car and traffic safety. Education is the best way to change someone’s action. For example Super Size me changed McDonalds menus because the demand for their food went down. Now they offer salads, apples instead of fries, and milk instead of soda.

By: Damian C.

Damian C. — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 03:30:17 +0000

The traffic in california may be one of the worst but the laws really have nothing to do witht the amount of traffic there is in the cities. The laws only have to do with the safety that the drivers should have while on the road. To fix the traffic problem at specific intersections they should use cameras and control when the lights should change i dont know if they do but i think that should help.

By: Damien-west

Damien-west — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 08:02:03 +0000

I think california is doing a real good job at keeping the roads safe while having the some of the worst traffic in the country. I think I speak for everyone when I say that being stuck in traffic is the worst thing about driving. Especially that damn 60 freeway… They’ve been doing construction on that thing for so many years and they still can’t finish it! The lanes on it are all fuked up on it too. You have to real careful on it because some of those lanes actually go into eachother! The only thing I would suggest to keep traffic moving is an age limit, and im not talking about being 18 to be able to legally drive. I think we need to ask ourselves how old is too old when it comes to driving. I know it sounds kinda messed up, but old people tend to drive slow, they can’t see as well, and many of them have health issues that makes them dangerous when behind the wheel.

By: Sam Barker

Sam Barker — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 23:29:09 +0000

Wow. That’s a staggering number. Teens make up 6% of California’s drivers, but account for 21% of traffic deaths.
That’s a scary thought, but nonetheless is going to happen. You cant generate experience over-night.

New driving laws?
I like the idea of Ignition-locks for repeat DUI offenders. It’s a good option, and has a lot of backing by car companies.
I’m very much so against the driving curfew. Teens need experience driving at night just as much as driving during the day. When you turn 18, nothing magical happens. You aren’t just zapped full of knowledge. So what’s the difference?

By: Felix Z.

Felix Z. — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 06:19:28 +0000

Hmm, this topic is pretty interesting since I myself am a california driver and would be affected by these new laws. Having to be home by 11p.m or not being able to legally drive past that time isn’t all that great. I guess my opinion would be very bias since I personally wouldn’t like to have a earlier time or anything, and also having to get those breathalizer tests. Teens may have a high percentage when it comes to accidents, but what people don’t see is that teenagers are not responsible. They don’t drive like a 30 or 40 year old would, they like the fast life, and showing off. Older people don’t see it that way, they just see it as stupidity, or lack or responsibility. The laws that California has made for traffic here are already in my opinion quite good, heck they’ve got us in 4th place and seem to be getting better.

By: Hans N

Hans N — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 00:32:20 +0000

I think that our current law are good enough. I do not think that our traffic laws are the cause of our traffic problems, california is a highly populated state, and have a great number of people commuting to work or home around the same hour.Most major cities do infact have a large amount of traffic, so this problem is not only in our state. I do not think there is much that we are able to do to solve this traffic problem, aside from car pulling or building more roads/ freeways.

I also agree with the state attmepting to instate drivers ed in school. This will allow drivers to become more familiar with driving, rules of the road, and over all become a better driver.

By: Mayra C

*Mayra C* — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 20:22:47 +0000

The traffic in California is dramatically disgusting. Although the laws get stricter traffic is always going to stay in California. The laws yes to be honest are a good idea. Even though myself being a teen, i should admit that most teens are going to be afraid to break the law about drinking and driving. Although their are those that become a bit rebel and do the opposite of what the state wants. The laws have become strict but overall i think its for the states good and the well being of all the citizens in California. Its a requirement for the government to look out for the well being of it state.

By: Danny

Danny — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 07:54:14 +0000

Most of the laws a driver has to follow are for his or her own good. most of these laws are created with logical reasons to back them. Even the ridiculous booster seat law, maybe the average weight of 8 year olds in the united states still puts most passenger children in danger of flying out from under their seatbelts and slamming into a car window. anyways, none of the laws that are in effect irritate me too much, i can understand why most are in effect.

like most evetyone before me already suggested, i think that California should definitely make an effort to emphasize a law that would benefit commuters who are carpooling. I believe that an increase in carpooling or public transportation by commuters would leave less people on the streets resulting in a lower percentage of possible accidents on freeways and streets.

Aside from most of the laws that drivers have to follow, i have never liked the idea of giving a business the power to tow someones car away because they are in wrong parking spot. I think that putting people through that kind of stress is ridiculous. I mean everyone hates getting fines or tickets, that’s good enough of a punishment i think.

By: alexa m.

alexa m. — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 06:00:51 +0000

i can see how they are tying to get driver’s ed avalable to us at school and i think it is good, The only way anyone becomes a good dirver is by experiance. And the rules and laws we have in our state has reduced accedientd and deaths. Esspecially how there is now a lot of advertisement and propaganda consisting with drinving and safety. I wouldn’t change any of the laws right now.
For me i think that it is important that young drivers experiance the road because there is a big difernce in reading about doing something then actuall doing it. So for driving, its taking what you learn and applying and also developing habits, like scanning the road. I think that parents should teach their kids how to drive, like let them drive around in an emty parking lot every once in a while or down a sucluded street, or an open lot of some sort. Not only when they reach the age to drive but even before, let them have a feel on how powerful a car can be.
The only trouble i find with this is that kids might take advantage of knowing how to drive before getting their license or even their permit. Peole will do this anywaise, regardless ,….right, eh.

I believe that these current laws that apply to different agaes is the states way of trying to keep us safe and learn the regulations of the rode like something we will never forget. It good in my book, at least for now. (:

By: Annalise Petriello

Annalise Petriello — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 06:00:13 +0000

Well I don’t understand what our traffic laws have to do with the amount of traffic we have. Requiring helmets doesn’t increase the number of people on the road. So those aren’t strange statements to be next to each other at all. I think that our laws are sufficient, although I didn’t realize that the breathalizer was not required for drunk driving offenders, which would be a positive addition to many cars. But, besides that California has a good hold on trying to keep drivers in line. The problem of traffic is definitely caused by the MASSIVE population we boast. The only way I could imagine the problem being solved is by means of large-scale infrastructure improvement expansion. But, I don’t think the tax payer will be dying to give up half of their earnings any time soon for such a large project as this. And I’m glad. Californian land needs no more tearing up, but Californians need to use their cars less! Yet I know this is easier said than done and I will in no way be staying home from Disneyland to avoid emissions. Point being, people want to drive, they can deal with traffic and the risk.