Distracted? Stay alert. Cops about!

Here’s what California law says about distracted driving:

And for cyclists?  “Same road, same rights, same rules.”

• Handheld ban for all drivers (Primary law)
• Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for bus drivers (Primary law)
• Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers–defined as drivers under age 18 (Secondary law)
• Ban on texting for all drivers (Primary law)

“Distracted? Watch out! We’re all family, as the LA Bike Coalition video shows.

Fog & Smog give the same message in their video, “Put your  phone down.”  Watch it at the end of this post.

Don’t think you’d really be risking injuring or killing someone? Maybe the dent in your wallet matters.

Cell phones–and other distracted driving

Got cell phone?–in your hand while driving/pedaling? Let’s hope not!  Cops on bikes can pedal right up and–bingo–write a ticket.  They may look like they’re just out having fun, but these cops mean business too!  They know that a split-second text, or other distraction, can be all it takes to result in tragedies such as these.

There’s probably not a person in the world who hasn’t at some time driven a car or motorcycle, or biked, distracted.  The stories at the U.S. Department of of Transportation Distracted Driving website are a somber reminder of why it’s so important to keep first things first!–Your eyes on the road (or bike path), your hands on the wheel (or handlebars), and your mind on your priority task at hand–safe travel.

These police officers are prepared to get around town quickly, free of any possible traffic delays.

Police officers are out and about,  doing everything they can to keep the peace and assure the safety of our communities.  In this post are cops from the City of Monterey.  Click here to see Constables of the Peace, on bicycles, in other Monterey County cities.

Need more reminders? Visit the Eric Okerblom Foundation website, http://www.eofoundation.net/ – Eric was killed while bicycling because of a distracted driver! In April 2012, cyclists will bike through Monterey County with Eric’s father, Bob Okerblom, to express outrage and bring attention to what more must be done to prevent such tragedy.  Visit the website to learn more, or email Eric’s dad:   bobokerblom [AT] yahoo [DOT] com.

See what else our Monterey County’s police officers are up to.

In this post, officers are from the City of Monterey Police Department.

Ma’am, sorry to have to write you up, but California’s seat belt law says “click it or ticket.”

Pausing to give directions help.

Whoops, crosswalk!

Stay alert, folks, there are ticket books in those bike bags!

Keeping a sharp eye on things….

Hey, every biker on the road  needs some of that super-reflective tape!

Getting ready to hit the road again….

Hey, it’s the bike woman! Sure, we’ll pose, no problem.

Back in the saddle….

And away they go, on to the next call of duty.

Thanks for your service, officers.

Thanks to Mark C. Anderson for his 3/22/12 Food Blog post in the Monterey County Weekly bringing the following video to my attention.

Looking for 2012 tips about…

the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix/MotoGP World Championship?  Click here.

Fog and Smog have the last word.