Slow Down Sebastopol

[Kathleen Shaffer]

The PD scooped our Slow Down Sebastopol campaign, but please look for those big red signs next week at the city's east, west and southern entries. We will also have signs at the schools and in the yards. I hear from many people that speeders make their neighborhood streets dangerous, so maybe this campaign will make a difference. I sure do hope so!

Thanks Barry for posting the story.

Kathleen Shaffer
City Council

[localsupporter]

I almost get run over daily half way through almost any crosswalk with no light.

The well known story of...first car stops in the lane im in..car behind goes around almost hits me(into the middle turn lane sometimes)...then I get to wait for 6-7 cars to go by in the lane in front of me.Ok more like 4.


But still, its aggravating, reminds me of the east coast where drivers have the right of way over pedestrians.

Even worse when theres a police officer watching people drive right through the crosswalk im on.

And people complain about the sebtown police department not giving anyone breaks! The nerve.

[Tars]

I appreciate warmly the excellent work in our area by the various police forces, most especially the CHP.

I live on a road leading to Sebastopol. It's a long straightaway on a route that a lot of people use to commute to Santa Rosa. I widened our driveway entrance, so as to allow the CHP a spot to park off the road, relatively out of sight of the roadway, but close enought that they can use radar. The road is a 40 mph zone, but I frequently see cars zooming through in excess of 60mph. The other day the CHP told me she'd just nabbed a speeder doing 75mph.

If I can think of a way to further accommodate the police who work to keep my neighborhood safe. If I had power out to the road, I'd put a coffee maker out there, maybe some donuts. Just kidding. But I want to reiterate how much I appreciate law enforcement presence in my neighborhood.

[Bryan]

There are a number of signs that state clearly California law means yield to pedestrians. Maybe Sebastopol needs to spend money on more cross walk signs. Sonoma has a ton including flashing lighted cross walks.

[Tars]

There are a number of signs that state clearly California law means yield to pedestrians. Maybe Sebastopol needs to spend money on more cross walk signs. Sonoma has a ton including flashing lighted cross walks.

Anyone who's spent any significant time in downtown S-town has seen that crosswalks are largely ignored by pedestrians. "Stu-peds" walk across any damned place they please - in traffic. Perhaps they'll win Darwin Awards, and they won't inflict themselves on us much longer - just kidding (sorta).

Unfortunately, more crosswalks and flashing lights would probably make traffic conditions worse in Sebastopol. Since there is such a horrific amount of traffic already, using Sebastopol's surface streets to get to Forestville, Guerneville, Occidental, the coast towns, etc. etc. etc., not to mention all of the little rental units in each and every yard west of town. Even longer lines of smokinghonkingcursingstinking cars would result.

Sadly, the only solutions to the cars vs peds curse in Sebastopol would involve either building a new highway to bypass Sebastopol (all in favor raise your hands), or some fancy expensive structures to get pedestrians across the streets without further clogging traffic - bridges, tunnels, transporter beams.

In the meantime, it is suggested that if you don't absolutely have to drive into downtown Sebastopol...DON'T. If you can't avoid it, then (please?) try to go during non-commute 9am to 1pm or 7pm-7am.

Have a nice drive.

[kpage9]

and in sonoma, where i live, the additude towards pedestrians is astonishingly protective....people almost always stop. maybe a predictable result: pedestrians have a pretty cavalier attitude about crossing--not even looking, let alone a nod of thanks.


There are a number of signs that state clearly California law means yield to pedestrians. Maybe Sebastopol needs to spend money on more cross walk signs. Sonoma has a ton including flashing lighted cross walks.

[Richard Nichols]

If you want traffic, move to LA. Our traffic issues are almost minus by comparison. Also, walking in town instead of driving is a good idea. Do you see the irony of complaining about traffic and then dissing peds. You can find anecdotal evidence for damned near anything, but I don't think j walking is much of an issue. Speeding, and ignoring peds in crosswalks is an issue.


Anyone who's spent any significant time in downtown S-town has seen that crosswalks are largely ignored by pedestrians. "Stu-peds" walk across any damned place they please - in traffic. Perhaps they'll win Darwin Awards, and they won't inflict themselves on us much longer - just kidding (sorta).

Unfortunately, more crosswalks and flashing lights would probably make traffic conditions worse in Sebastopol. Since there is such a horrific amount of traffic already, using Sebastopol's surface streets to get to Forestville, Guerneville, Occidental, the coast towns, etc. etc. etc., not to mention all of the little rental units in each and every yard west of town. Even longer lines of smokinghonkingcursingstinking cars would result.

Sadly, the only solutions to the cars vs peds curse in Sebastopol would involve either building a new highway to bypass Sebastopol (all in favor raise your hands), or some fancy expensive structures to get pedestrians across the streets without further clogging traffic - bridges, tunnels, transporter beams.

In the meantime, it is suggested that if you don't absolutely have to drive into downtown Sebastopol...DON'T. If you can't avoid it, then (please?) try to go during non-commute 9am to 1pm or 7pm-7am.

Have a nice drive.

[MichaelK]

and in sonoma, where i live, the additude towards pedestrians is astonishingly protective....people almost always stop. maybe a predictable result: pedestrians have a pretty cavalier attitude about crossing--not even looking, let alone a nod of thanks.

It must be refreshing living in Sonoma. In Sebastopol it is unsafe to cross the streets at signaled intersections. If the Sebastopol police were to enforce pedestrian right of way laws the City could fund itself in a couple of days. If the police were to enforce speeding and cell phone laws we could probably fix Santa Rosa's budget deficit.

[Geni Houston]

Don't put the blame on the Police force not doing their job, it is the drivers and only the drivers who are at fault here. There really is not place for an officer to sit at the corner of Hwy 12 and Hwy 116 where you simply have to wait for the red light runners to finish before you proceed.

[Richard Nichols]

This discussion about speeding and crosswalks and pedestrians springs from one thing, and that is we are all (me too) wedded (enslaved maybe) to the *&^$%%& car. Few buses, no trains to speak of, and a huge unwillingness to walk. Even the name automobile means "self mobile", as though we are not mobile without the damned things.

[Tars]

If you want traffic, move to LA. Our traffic issues are almost minus by comparison.

Can't think what I said that could've possibly led you to think that I "want" traffic.


Also, walking in town instead of driving is a good idea. Do you see the irony of complaining about traffic and then dissing peds.

You missed the point. Not dissing peds at all, I'm one myself, daily, in the downtown area. I was dissing "stu-peds", who feel they can walk across the road at any point, at any time, no matter what the traffic conditions. Sebastopol unfortunately has way more than it's fair share of them. I had one of them walk right in front of my moving vehicle. Only my quick reactions saved the moron's life, so he could live to get flattened later.

(THE POINT of the post you didn't read fully=>)Adding more crosswalks and with or without flashing lights, in downtown Sebastopol, isn't a realistic option, unless we also want to further aggravate and lengthen the heavy traffic periods through town. There is no easy solution, because Sebastopol sits right on a crossroads of two busy commuter routes.

[Richard Nichols]

Tars, I've been known to miss the point before. The curse of this form of communication is difficulty of correcting course, and reading people in person.

The "want traffic" was a bit rhetorical. I meant it to mean that traffic in LA is beyond hell compared to Sonoma County and Sebastopol.

It just sounded like you dissed peds, but you were talking about those who take chances by J walking. Most of those, I'll bet, are only crossing to get to a car because they are to lazy to walk up the street.

Confess I J walk occasionally, but only when traffic is completely clear.

[photolite]

Look both ways before you cross the street and while you're crossing it and you won't get run over.


Tars, I've been known to miss the point before. The curse of this form of communication is difficulty of correcting course, and reading people in person.

The "want traffic" was a bit rhetorical. I meant it to mean that traffic in LA is beyond hell compared to Sonoma County and Sebastopol.

It just sounded like you dissed peds, but you were talking about those who take chances by J walking. Most of those, I'll bet, are only crossing to get to a car because they are to lazy to walk up the street.

Confess I J walk occasionally, but only when traffic is completely clear.

[tomcat]

Let's face it, Downtown Sebastopol can have some very heavy vehicle traffic at times as there is no bypass available!

116 and 12 come into town and the one-way configuration confuses some of the out of towners.

People are in a hurry and frustrated trying to make lane changes while trying not to hit other vehicles and Pedestrians. Some don't even SEE the traffic light in front of the Odd Fellows and Basso Buildings.

I like the SLOW DOWN campaign and hope it helps.

I think the town needs CROSSING GUARDS at two or more of the downtown crosswalks where close calls and accidents are common.

[Sara S]

Comedian Bill Hicks did a great bit on the "California Pedestrian Law".





Tars, I've been known to miss the point before. The curse of this form of communication is difficulty of correcting course, and reading people in person.

The "want traffic" was a bit rhetorical. I meant it to mean that traffic in LA is beyond hell compared to Sonoma County and Sebastopol.

It just sounded like you dissed peds, but you were talking about those who take chances by J walking. Most of those, I'll bet, are only crossing to get to a car because they are to lazy to walk up the street.

Confess I J walk occasionally, but only when traffic is completely clear.

[Tars]

Comedian Bill Hicks did a great bit on the "California Pedestrian Law".

"So, I guess we're gonna have to take your word for that then?", Tars said, ironically.

https://rriddle.com/Pix/smilingPeasant.jpg

[LenInSebastopol]

Tars makes a good point about pedestrians. So often I hear the voices of the universe telling people that crossing the street is "their Constitutional right" (I know: it almost is in Califas) while "the cosmos revolves around them" and "they feel the earth move under their feet" as they experience the great moment of crossing this street. Or they could be be wishing someone would just take the time to look at them; maybe develop a relationship with them as they cross, no?
Come on folks, driving IS a community effort, and pedestrians could give a consideration to the smog they indirectly help create (second hand smoke?) as they saunter across the streets. Especially noticeable at the town square. Little & big old folks, moms pushing young'ens, broken/repairing bodies can take all the time they need. Healthy folks? I hate all things New York, but in this case I could consider an exception.

[Sara S]

Years ago, my husband observed that once one gets to a certain age, he/she is mostly invisible, UNLESS he's in the crosswalk in front of you....






Tars makes a good point about pedestrians. So often I hear the voices of the universe telling people that crossing the street is "their Constitutional right" (I know: it almost is in Califas) while "the cosmos revolves around them" and "they feel the earth move under their feet" as they experience the great moment of crossing this street. Or they could be be wishing someone would just take the time to look at them; maybe develop a relationship with them as they cross, no?
Come on folks, driving IS a community effort, and pedestrians could give a consideration to the smog they indirectly help create (second hand smoke?) as they saunter across the streets. Especially noticeable at the town square. Little & big old folks, moms pushing young'ens, broken/repairing bodies can take all the time they need. Healthy folks? I hate all things New York, but in this case I could consider an exception.

[tomcat]

There are now three different threads related to the problem of vehicles and pedestrians in Sebastopol. Perhaps this peoblem needs a little more attention from the City Leaders. Maybe a little brain-storming is in order to come up with some creative ways to make Sebastopol streets safer for pedestrians and drivers.


Years ago, my husband observed that once one gets to a certain age, he/she is mostly invisible, UNLESS he's in the crosswalk in front of you....

[Barry]

Got any ideas?

We already have very strict speed limit enforcement, new and upgraded crosswalks, and bulb-outs which serve as traffic calming measures.

I believe there were street-safe public meetings a few years ago.

How about adding chamomile :tired: to the water supply? :wink:



There are now three different threads related to the problem of vehicles and pedestrians in Sebastopol. Perhaps this problem needs a little more attention from the City Leaders. Maybe a little brain-storming is in order to come up with some creative ways to make Sebastopol streets safer for pedestrians and drivers.

[Geni Houston]

Several years ago, I was in Western Australia for a couple of weeks before Easter. Traveling from Perth to Mandurah where our family is spread, the traffice was sloooowwww and calm and (as we were on vacation and in no rush) very relaxing but almost unbelievebly so. We found out a few days into our trip that they were operating a campaign that if you SPEED ON A HOLIDAY WEEK YOU GO TO JAIL! Obviously, it worked! I don't think we saw a single speeding car the entire time.

How bout it, Chief Weaver?

[Barry]

...SPEED ON A HOLIDAY WEEK YOU GO TO JAIL...!
Oy! :fie:

[tomcat]

Drugging the Sebastopol water supply is NOT the answer... as it would affect pedestrians as well... and THEN, what a mess! : ))

Actually, my take on it is that it is not locals, but mostly people passing THROUGH Sebastopol who are usually the problem (wonder if the police have stat's on that?) and it's not necessarily their speed, but their attention and awareness... in a hurry, lots of traffic and not very visible crosswalks.

Have you seen those LIT crosswalks? They have Flashing lights along the crosswalk embedded into the roadway to warn drivers that the crosswalk is in use.
Also, after the one way goes past Whole Foods and Tee's at downtown, vehicles should NOT be allowed to turn left while the walk sign is lit for the pedestrians.
Of course, a by-pass roadway would be the best solution to calm the traffic in Sebastopol.
Well, that's my 2 cents :2cents:


Got any ideas?

We already have very strict speed limit enforcement, new and upgraded crosswalks, and bulb-outs which serve as traffic calming measures.

I believe there were street-safe public meetings a few years ago.

How about adding chamomile :tired: to the water supply? :wink:

[someguy]

How about one day when the town square is full of people, the city hires stunt men to perform a "hit and run" right in front of everybody. Then after everyone is jostled from witnessing this horrendous act, have the police chief make an announcement highlighting the importance of slowing the fudge down.

[LenInSebastopol]

Years ago, my husband observed that once one gets to a certain age, he/she is mostly invisible, UNLESS he's in the crosswalk in front of you....

Certain races at certain times, ugly folks, and most 'handicap' are also same.

[jbox]

Tars makes a good point about pedestrians. So often I hear the voices of the universe telling people that crossing the street is "their Constitutional right" (I know: it almost is in Califas) while "the cosmos revolves around them" and "they feel the earth move under their feet" as they experience the great moment of crossing this street. Or they could be be wishing someone would just take the time to look at them; maybe develop a relationship with them as they cross, no?
Come on folks, driving IS a community effort, and pedestrians could give a consideration to the smog they indirectly help create (second hand smoke?) as they saunter across the streets. Especially noticeable at the town square. Little & big old folks, moms pushing young'ens, broken/repairing bodies can take all the time they need. Healthy folks? I hate all things New York, but in this case I could consider an exception.


Some years ago in Berkeley at Hearst and Shattuck a woman reading a newspaper was run down and killed by a cement truck as she crossed the street in a crosswalk. The driver was unable to stop. I'm sure she was thinking that she had the right of way and drivers have to stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk. I remember many occasions when pedestrians would step out in front of my vehicle while making eye contact forcing me to come to a more abrupt stop than is comfortable. While it is their right to do so, challenging vehicles to stop seems unnecessary, discourteous, and dangerous. As a pedestrian I am happy to wait a few moments for some letup in traffic before crossing. The last thing I want is to depend on someone to stop or get run over or to cause a rear end collision by forcing a driver to apply the brakes suddenly. Having the legal right of way doesn't do anyone any good if you get hit as a pedestrian or cause a traffic accident. :Yinyangv:

[C Tut]

How about one day when the town square is full of people, the city hires stunt men to perform a "hit and run" right in front of everybody. Then after everyone is jostled from witnessing this horrendous act, have the police chief make an announcement highlighting the importance of slowing the fudge down.
<!-- / message --><!-- Waccco: reduce Top Margin <div style="margin-top: 10px" align="right"> -->
A la Arrested Development! Anyone know any one-armed men? Ha!

[Tars]

How about one day when the town square is full of people, the city hires stunt men to perform a "hit and run" right in front of everybody. Then after everyone is jostled from witnessing this horrendous act, have the police chief make an announcement highlighting the importance of slowing the fudge down.

I like the idea! Best to do it on a Sunday though. Weekdays, thru-town commuters would run over the stuntmen.

[Yip]

In your scenario, 99% of the witnesses will be pedestrians.
Maybe Dennis Weaver should tell them to slow down, after they are told they were tricked?
Gunsmoke anyone?


How about one day when the town square is full of people, the city hires stunt men to perform a "hit and run" right in front of everybody. Then after everyone is jostled from witnessing this horrendous act, have the police chief make an announcement highlighting the importance of slowing the fudge down.

[tomcat]

I can't help but agree with you a bit here... for those crosswalks that are Not at stoplights and don't have a walk/don't walk sign.


; I remember many occasions when pedestrians would step out in front of my vehicle while making eye contact forcing me to come to a more abrupt stop than is comfortable. While it is their right to do so, challenging vehicles to stop seems unnecessary, discourteous, and dangerous. As a pedestrian I am happy to wait a few moments for some letup in traffic before crossing. The last thing I want is to depend on someone to stop or get run over or to cause a rear end collision by forcing a driver to apply the brakes suddenly. Having the legal right of way doesn't do anyone any good if you get hit as a pedestrian or cause a traffic accident. :Yinyangv: