Nate from Oakland writes: I know, of course, that police and fire trucks are entitled to speed down city streets with sirens and flashing lights when responding to emergencies. But I’m sure I’m not the only one to have also seen police cars slide through red traffic lights for no apparent reason. Is this legal? What are the rules of the road for emergency vehicles and what happens if someone is hurt by one, for example, running a red light?
The Dolan Law Firm annually sponsors Bike to Work Day in the San Francisco Bay Area. As part of Bike to Work Day 2017, we published in the Examiner a “Bicyclists Bill of Rights.” This document is posted on our website at dolanlawfirm.com/bicyclist-rights
In response, Bryan from San Francisco writes, “Do you have a Pedestrian Bill of Rights? I appreciate your efforts on making streets safer for bicyclists but what about pedestrians. I am disabled and walk with a walker. I was walking on Bayshore and barely missed by a bicycle riding quickly on the sidewalk. He came up from behind me on the sidewalk when there is a bike lane right there. Bicyclists need to obey the laws if they expect drivers to obey the laws.”
Petaluma, CA (October 15, 2016) – A pedestrian was walking west in the bike lane of the 500 block of Lakeville Street in Petaluma when he was hit by a 2015 Volkswagen Golf on Friday October 14, 2016 at around 7:45 p.m. He died the following day.
We have put together an updated list of the laws we believe every California cyclist should know, along with one key law for vehicle drivers. Please visit our California bicycle laws page. And if you are in crash, visit our bike accident checklist page to learn the steps you need to take to ensure your safety and protect your legal rights.
Ashley from Rockridge asks: “Chris, last week I used the casual car pool to commute into the City. While moving slowly through the Bay Bridge maze, the driver took out his smartphone and typed in an address on a map application to get directions to a business. He then called the business holding the phone to his ear. I voiced my concern over his lack of attention to other cars in the maze. He didn’t take kindly to me expressing an opinion on the safety of his driving and claimed the law only prohibits texting while driving. Is that right?”
Hyundai Car Strikes Woman Riding Her Skateboard in VallejoVALLEJO, CA (September 13, 2016) – A 32-year-old resident of Vallejo riding a skateboard was struck by a 2016 Hyundai Elantra at the intersection of Sonoma Boulevard and Georgia Street in Vallejo on Monday afternoon, September 12, 2016. Vallejo police officers found the woman unresponsive, yet breathing, and suffering from a severe head injury.
WINDSOR, CA (September 12, 2016) – A a 55-year-old Sebastopol resident, was on a bicycle ride west of Windsor in the morning of Saturday, September 10, 2016, when she was tragically killed after apparently colliding with an oncoming, passing vehicle. The crash occurred on Eastside Road near Windsor River Road after 11 a.m.
This week’s question comes from Phillip B. in Mountain View who asks, “My girlfriend was riding in an Uber vehicle in Southern California when the car was hit by a truck that was changing lanes. The Uber driver did nothing to cause the accident. The truck never stopped and no one got a license plate number or other identifying information. She was hurt in the collision, has racked up medical bills and missed time from work. She is going to have a tough recovery time. At the time of the collision she was riding with a friend who had the Uber account. Can she seek compensation for what happened to her and if so, from who?”
This week’s question comes from Alex in San Bruno: “I want to buy a new car. What does ‘full insurance coverage’ mean?
Alex, thank you for your question. Buying automobile insurance unfortunately can be a time-consuming and confusing process. Minor traffic collisions are a financial drain and hassle. Major auto collisions can be financially and physically devastating. It’s vital that all drivers be fully insured. I am glad to help you understand what this means.
Division 11. Rules of the Road
Chapter 5. Pedestrians’ Rights and Duties
(a) The Legislature hereby finds and declares that it is the policy of the State of California that safe and convenient pedestrian travel and access, whether by foot, wheelchair, walker, or stroller, be provided to the residents of the state.
(b) In accordance with the policy declared under subdivision (a), it is the intent of the Legislature that all levels of government in the state, particularly the Department of Transportation, work to provide convenient and safe passage for pedestrians on and across all streets and highways, increase levels of walking and pedestrian travel, and reduce pedestrian fatalities and injuries.