Full Notification

Your safety is the Santa Rosa Junior College District Police Department’s #1 priority. As such, the officers of your District Police Department are on duty everyday helping to educate the public on driving safety. We ask everyone in our community to be aware of pedestrians, bicyclists, and other vehicles when driving in and around the SRJC area. This is especially important during this first week of the Fall Semester when we have a greater population coming to and leaving the campus including many who are not familiar with the area. Please review and share with your peers and friends the following safety tips:

DRIVERS:
• Keep a high visual horizon by keeping your attention far down the roadway in order to see oncoming hazards and allowing yourself enough time to react appropriately.
• Watch for pedestrians who might step in front of your vehicle especially at night when they may be in dark clothing and difficult to see.
• Don’t talk, text, or e-mail while you are driving.
• Don’t drive if you are tired.
• Don’t drive under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medications.
• The speed limit on campus is 15 MPH.
• The speed limit on Elliott Avenue is 25 MPH.
• The speed limit on Armory Drive and Mendocino Avenue is 35 MPH.

PEDESTRIANS:
• DON’T JAYWALK. Use one of the several crosswalks in the SRJC area and activate the yellow caution lights, traffic signals, or “Pedestrian Walk“ buttons at the crosswalks.
• Obey all traffic signs and signals.
• When you are walking, look both ways before you cross the street.
• Don’t assume drivers see you or will stop especially during nighttime when you are dressed in dark clothing.
• Make eye contact with drivers before crossing-be sure the driver sees you.
• Be aware of what is happening around you. Use caution if you are texting or listening to music while you are walking. You may not see or hear a vehicle or the bicyclist who is about to pass you.
• Always walk on the sidewalk/pathway.

BICYCLISTS:
• Ride on the right side of the street and go with, not against, traffic.
• When riding at night do so with a white light to the front and affixed to the bicycle which is required by state law as well as a red reflector to the rear.
• Obey all traffic signals, signs, and roadway devices.
• Wear a helmet.
• Use hand signals to indicate turns, lane changes, and stopping.
• Always lock your bicycle.
• Use the bicycle racks located at the various locations around campus. Please do not lock or place bicycles against lamp posts, railings, or in walkways as they may be removed by the District Police.

Remember, when a pedestrian meets a motorist in the road, pedestrians have the right of way while in marked crosswalks. However, outside of marked crosswalks vehicles have the right of way. In fact, pedestrians can receive a traffic citation for crossing unsafely. The District Police Department can and will issue traffic citations for the following pedestrian violations:
• Crossing Against a “Don’t Walk” signal. (21456 (b) CVC )
• Walking across the street or into traffic (except in a crosswalk) causing a vehicle to brake. (21954(A) CVC)
• Unnecessarily delaying traffic even in a marked crosswalk. (21950 (b) CVC)

For more information for you can download the following California Highway Patrol safety pamphlets:

Distracted Driving: http://www.chp.ca.gov/community/pdf/distracted_driving.pdf
Bicycling Safety Laws/Tips: http://www.chp.ca.gov/community/pdf/BicycleRiding.pdf

Please have a successful, pleasant, and safe 2015 Fall Semester.