Full Notification

Welcome back to school for the fall semester! 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 time of the year when the days are getting shorter, the nights longer, and there is more of a likelihood of driving in the rain. Please review and share with your 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.
• When you are driving in the rain or inclement weather slow down, drive with headlights on, stay alert for your vehicle hydroplaning, apply brakes more slowly as they may pull, and leave extra distance between your car and the next motorist/bicyclist.
• 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.

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.

BICYCLISTS:
• Ride on the right side of the street and go with, not against, traffic.
• When riding at night a white light to the front affixed to the bicycle is required by state law as is 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. Do not lock or place bicycles against lamp posts, railings, or in walkways.

Remember, when a pedestrian meets a motorist in the road, pedestrians have the right of way in marked crosswalks. Outside of marked crosswalks, vehicles have the right of way. In fact, pedestrians can receive a traffic citation. The District Police Department can and will issue traffic citations for the following 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:

Driving in Inclement Weather:
https://www.chp.ca.gov/Documents/weatherDrivingTips.pdf
Distracted Driving:
https://www.chp.ca.gov/CommunityOutreachAndMediaRelationsSite/Documents/distracted_driving.pdf
Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety:
https://www.chp.ca.gov/Programs-Services/Services-Information/Bike-and-Ped-Safety

The SRJC District Police Department wishes you a successful and safe semester. We are here for you 24 / 7 / 365 and can be contacted at (707)527-1000.