Our Own DMV Rules

How can you possibly say that drivers in Santa Barbara ignore traffic laws? In my experience SB drivers are much more law-abiding and courteous than those in other cities. I drive a lot and I always love getting back to SB, where I know my stress level will decrease substantially while on the road. One bad apple must have scared ol' Barney and sent him on a rant.

8. Be sure and creep forward while waiting on a left hand turn so the oncomming traffic knows you're in a hurry and may dart in front of them if they don't clear the intersection quickly enough. Keep em guessing.

9. When on the two lane sections of 101, be sure and align your bumper with the car next to you so every one behind you can share in the experience of a casual 55 mph sashay to the orthotics store.

10. Be sure and slow to 20MPH and gawk at your hundreth tailgating fenderbender. When you catch the offenders eyes flip them off for causing everyone to slow down and gawk.

11. On Sat. afternoons, make that mandatory 15 mile trip to Costco to save 23 cents on that 24 pack of TP. One of these weekends soon, we'll break the GBR for longest off-ramp back up. The goal is to have stopped traffic in the right lane all the way back to Los Carneros. Just think of the fender benders we can rack up!

12. Play dumb at the rules of a four-way stop; just go through when a gap occurs and not in sequence as the law requires.

Dearest Mr B,

Drive in the rest of the world and you will see that SB is just fine. I agree with an earlier comment that B had a bad day.

Drive the world in your SUV,
BeachLivin

"Are Santa Barbarans Above the Law?" Yes Barney, they are, and the reason is because traffic laws are rarely enforced. (Whether due to indifference or lack of resources)

Obviously Barney you struck a nerve in those who criticize you and I'm wondering if their criticism could be a justification of their own illegal driving habits? It is possible however, that every time they go out everyone else is obeying all the laws while every time I go out (as well as the times my friends and family drive) speeding and tailgating are epidemic.

Mayor Blum informed me about a year ago that in a month about 400 traffic citations are issued in the city of Santa Barbara, which if averaged out, barely scratches the surface.

As for those who say Barney must have had a bad day, I can't dispute their claim that it's worse in other places since I haven't been to those places, but to dismiss Barney's complaint is to ignore the fact that Santa Barbara has a driving problem. Grading the situation on a curve is like saying "He killed someone while I only robbed a bank".

About four years ago I figured something out: If I'm holding at 35 MPH on Foothill (the maximum speed limit) and someone turns out a quarter of a mile behind me, even if I never go below 35 in the vast majority of cases that person will be filling my rear view mirror in less than two minutes--even on a Sunday night. What does THAT tell you about S.B.'s driving habits?

It is impossible to obey the speed limit in S.B. without some stressed out frantic person right on your tail or barreling up behind you. These people obviously set their own rules and think that a few miles per hour over the speed limit is no big deal. They are oblivious to the danger they pose when they are follow to closely but since law enforcement simply won't deal with the problem the problem will continue. Can you say "No accountability"?

So my question to those who speed and tailgate is this: What is your hurry?...why is it impossible for you to obey the speed limit?

Bill...Dude...Chill baby

Do your part...see rule #9

How about our local pd parking their vehicle in an obtrusive, over grown alley, waiting for the next driver to make a "California" Stop at a T intersection, while the majority of the public blasts down Cliff Drive @ 60 mph, running down pedestrians just 1/2 block away? Why not hire people like Barney, or myself for pennies to "help" catch those self-centered individuals to "think" they are such good drivers that the rules of the road do not apply to them!

"Bill...Dude...Chill baby

Do your part...see rule #9"

Sa1: I don't know what rule #9 has to do with what I wrote but when you tell me to "Chill dude" actually you're making MY point but since I'm not the one who's frantic and in a hurry why don't you tell the people who are tearing down residential streets and tailgating people to "chill"?

So anyway, what IS your point?

I agree with you 100%. It's about time that someone writes about how terrible it's gotten in Santa Barbara. People crossing on red lights (I thought that only happens in NY!!) and people tailgating have been the source of stress when I am on the road driving in this town. So, I try to walk as much as possible now because I fear that someone is going to hit my new car when I drive or park somewhere. So...I walk. Well, even walking almost got me killed by a motorist. Cars don't wait for pedestrians to cross first on green or drivers not paying attention to people crossing the street when they are making a turn. Thank you for writing in the name of those that obey the common rules that were created to save all of us, even the ones that should and deserve to learn a lesson. Unfortunately, when someone does learn a lesson, it will be at the expense of someone's life.

Santa Barbara drivers are INSANE!

I am a retired commercial driver and it took every fiber of my being to remain alert and ahead of the game enough to avoid accidents caused by idiots in four-wheelers and worse, the bicycle bozos.

I just LOVE the jacked-up trucks and ginormous SUV Urban Assault Vehicles with the cRap thumping through the blacked-out windows, barreling down the road like they own it. Oh wait...this is paradise....Santa Barbara doesn't have a gang problem...I must be making it all up!

Then there's the yuppie mommies in THEIR urban assault vehicles, yapping on the phone, putting on their makeup, sucking down a Starbucks triple triple whatever as they run up your tailpipe, then flash the headlights to force you out of your way....all because you DARED go the speed limit or a few miles over.

And ah...the bicyclists...the icing on the croissant. Blasting through stop signs, iPod headphones crammed in their ears, bodies stuffed into those STUPID multicolored spray-on outfits. And boy, don't you dare be a pedestrian and get in THEIR way...they will run you right down, then flip you off and spit on you as they fly by. Any cars who dare stop at a stop sign and happen to be in a bike's way so he can't run it, get kicked at or something thrown at them. My dad had one throw a full bottle of water at his car because he blocked the bikers way running a red light. Bicycles are ALWAYS exempt from ALL laws; just ask the cop sitting there watching the show, doing nothing about it.

I give thanks every day I wake up in Solvang, and NOT in Santa Babylon with the vehicular warriors and bicycle bozos. I can walk or drive anywhere I want and not be in fear for my life.

Sorry Santa Barbara; Barney's right and your drivers suck canal water.

Sorry Bro...er, Bill,

As you know I rarely make a point but if I had, it might be something like the fact that the minimum price for one ticket hander outer is $100K+. How many of those do you think we need to curb this rash of bad drivers? How many tickets do you have to give to an "undocumented driver" before they learn to speak English? Do you think maybe we should have mandatory yearly driving test for people over 70?

But not to worry mon frere, once UCSB, Westmont, SBCC, Naples, Bishop Ranch, Sumida, St. Francis and all the smaller developer wet dreams are finished, we won't have a traffic problem. Everyone in this area will be averaging 25MPH to get anywhere...What are we going to do with all the ticket hander outers then? Nevermind, half of them won't be working anyway...

Two other issues: RED LIGHT RUNNING. That has *got* to be the most reckless action a driver can take (not counting DUI.) Moving through an intersection against a red light has the potential for disaster, both car v. car and car v. pedestrian or bicyclist. Yet at the busy Upper State Street interesection by my office (and so many others!), cars roll, sometimes speed through the red light at almost every change of the signal. Police are missing out on a big moneymaker there.

Item two: Bicyclists not obeying the rules of the road. Sure, get dressed up in those bright "I know you can see me" clothes and blow through the light/stop sign,crosswalk. I bike every day and I'll admit to breaking some of the rules---in the past. We've GOT to set a good example. Once, I was stopped by a police officer and he made the point.

The bottom line: if we all just slow down, even 5 mph, get off the phone and pay attention to the rules and other drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists, everyone will safer. You might arrive at your destination a minute later, but a little less stressed and happy in the feeling that you didn't kill or injure someone on the way.

I guess we've covered all the issues here--although I would add that people talking on the cell phone without a headset would be another gripe. (That extra $40 is just too much after spending tens of thousands on a new vehicle)

As for Sa1's most recent comment, it's true that the big picture doesn't look good: Development at every turn will only increase the traffic problem (and a host of other social problems) and history supports SA's argument so it won't matter. On the other hand, I heard a lot of feel-good talk from those running for the city council so I've decided to stick my head in the sand and trust that all of our problems will soon be solved. (Including those pesky gang-related stabbings--after all youth centers will solve THAT problem.) These are PROGRESSIVE politicians so whatever development and overcrowding occurs on their watch will be done in an environmentally conscious manner. So what if we're bumper to bumper from on end of town to another?...at least the vehicles will be environementally-friendly ones.

On that same note, I'm buying some beachfront property in Nebraska.

13. If someone in front of you is trying to back into a parking while parallel parking, pull up real close behind them so they cannot back up any more. Then shake your fist at them and call them a moron for blocking the street.

OK, I've only observed that 3 times in 10 years. But still.

BIKE & DOG SHORELINE PARK, SORRY!!

Be extra careful if you're tired or ill. This past Saturday afternoon I was in my truck rushing to get to a public restroom and miscalculated a left turn onto La Marina off Cliff Drive. Suddenly there was a cyclist with his dog in his basket (No not Toto, but just as cute.) right in front of me who was waiting to turn left onto Cliff. The cyclist was rightfully screaming at me to give him some space. It was a disturbing incident for all of us. I felt like a Neanderthal. Maybe the penalty for bad driving should be an automatic requirement to drive in LA for a month? Let's all remind ourselves, driving is a privilege not a birthright.

Crossing Foothill at Cieneguitas, where a motorcyclist was killed about three years ago and a block from La Colina Junior HIgh is like playing Russian roulette. I've seen cars speed around in front of and behind pedestrians in the middle of the marked crosswalk. I've seen vehicles that actually stop for pedestrians risk getting rear-ended.

When I wrote the authorities to ask why this intersection couldn't be monitored -- the speed limit is 35 mph --, I received the response: "We can't give tickets there. It would be considered a speed trap."

So, go ahead Santa Barbara, go 50 mph or whatever you wish on Foothill. Blow by pedestrians. There won't ever be a cop there. And there will never be a stoplight at this intersection ... that was just another empty campaign promise.

Anyone who thinks that the overall driving situation in Santa Barbara is out of control (or bad in ANY way) clearly has their head firmly rooted in their sphincter.

Perhaps if you actually DROVE outside of Santa Barbara Couunty once in a while you would see why you are being ridiculous.

This is a nice, beautiful bubble that we live in, but after a while it truly warps your perspective.

We all know the 10 minute rule her in SB
You can get anywhere in SB in 10 minutes (or less)

We should also remember that on the first of the year no more cellphones, you must have an earpiece to talk on a cellphone...but we can eat brush our hair,teeth,watch the kids,tune the radio,cd,dvd,navagation WHAT'S NEXT
Maybe we can use Wendy McCaw and Nippers NEW BENTLEY'S

Something that bugs me tremendously is that when I'm riding my motorcycle in town I notice that the only people on two wheels who seem to know or care about the traffic laws are those of us on motorcycles. The bicycles just blow right through stop signs, stop lights, whatever or whenever they wish. Never mind the law, never mind safety, never mind the attitude that since they are riding for their health they can risk it in any way they wish.

"How can you possibly say that drivers in Santa Barbara ignore traffic laws? In my experience SB drivers are much more law-abiding and courteous than those in other cities."

Do you have any idea what a false dichotomy is? Barney can possibly say that drivers in Santa Barbara violate traffic laws because they do, regardless of what people elsewhere do.

"The cyclist was rightfully screaming at me to give him some space. "

I'm glad to see that someone is honest and gets it; the great majority of car/bike collisions are due to <i>drivers</i> violating the law, by dooring, making illegal turns, leaving their lane, or failing to make proper stops (behind the white line) at intersections.

"although I would add that people talking on the cell phone without a headset would be another gripe. (That extra $40 is just too much after spending tens of thousands on a new vehicle)"

Studies show that headsets don't help; it's the distraction of talking on the phone with someone who isn't aware of the road situation that is the danger.

"those STUPID multicolored spray-on outfits"

That comment is incredibly moronic.

"About four years ago I figured something out: If I'm holding at 35 MPH on Foothill (the maximum speed limit) and someone turns out a quarter of a mile behind me, even if I never go below 35 in the vast majority of cases that person will be filling my rear view mirror in less than two minutes--even on a Sunday night. What does THAT tell you about S.B.'s driving habits?"

It tells you that speed limits are set about 10 mph below the point of enforcement all across the country, not just SB.

BAD DRIVERS BLOG?

How about the Indy or Edhat posting a blog just for the purpose of reporting bad drivers of any variety of vehicle? (Cars, bikes, even skateboards) I've heard of that being done elsewhere. Any little thing to make drivers including myself more accountable helps.

jqb...thou doth protesteth too much.

Perhaps you are wearing one as we speak? <G>

Too funny!