Michael Due to the great success of the traffic section in the newsletter at the end of last year, I am now presenting a special edition on absurd Californian traffic regulations. For example, according to the Californian traffic code, it is prohibited to let the tires be screeching excessively loud during acceleration. This so-called "Exhibition of Speed" is punished with hefty fines and can be punished by suspending your driver's license.
It is strictly forbidden to race on public roads. One should not get caught by police playing popular games like "Which car accelerates the fastest from the traffic light when it turns green" and "Whoever brakes loses." And in organized "Speed Contests" (street races, also known as "Drag Races"), even assisting or merely watching are punishable offenses (Regulation 23109), even with prison sentences!
The brother of a coworker of mine once got a ticket because he started honking behind a slow driver who didn't want to turn. A police officer in his patrol car heard this, pulled him over, and issued a fine for "road rage," meaning aggression in traffic.
Even as a pedestrian, you have to be careful. You are not allowed to simply cross the street anywhere between two consecutive traffic light intersections; instead, you must cross at the traffic light. Anything else is referred to by the legislator as "jaywalking", punishable by a $25 fine. With the penalty surcharges explained in the last newsletter, that fine then will amount to $108! Regarding the origin of the word: A "Jay" is a rustic simpleton, someone who does not behave appropriately in the city. However, the authorities only intervene in such offenses when they are extremely bored or looking for a reason to get back at the person in question. In San Francisco, this practically never happens; I even once, while riding a bicycle, overlooked a police car and routinely went through a stop sign--no reaction.
Another interesting topic: Is it allowed to ride a bicycle on the sidewalk? It depends on the county. For example, it is allowed by the Bicycle Ordinance of the Silicon Valley City of Sunnyvale: "Persons over 62 and children under 13 years, unless the sidewalk is directly in front of a school or a business. And everyone is allowed to ride on the sidewalk in Sunnyvale if, as the law vaguely states, the street is too dangerous for cyclists.
In Germany, you are allowed to turn right on red at specially designated traffic lights if it can be done safely. In America, this is generally allowed unless a sign explicitly prohibits it, as shown in illustration 4. Insider tip: If there are two lanes turning right, you can also turn right on red from the left lane. And, something many people don't know: You can also turn left on red if you are at the left edge of a one-way street and turning left into another one-way street. I have often verified this in San Francisco with its many one-way streets, sometimes even while police cars were in the neighboring lane--no problem, as long as you make a brief stop beforehand!
In some places, the prohibition signs also display a time, and sometimes even an exception rule. For example, on Mission Street in the Mexican neighborhood, as shown in illustration 5, left turns are not allowed between 4 PM and 6 PM. However, on Sundays, left turns are permitted, which English speakers can deduce from the "Except Sun" written below. In the Mexican neighborhood, however, many people only speak Spanish, which means that hardly anyone takes advantage of this traffic loophole on late Sunday afternoons.
Here are some more curiosities: Double solid yellow lines in the middle of the road do not mean that you cannot turn left into a side street or driveway. This is only prohibited if there are four (!) solid lines. Two solid yellow lines merely mean that you cannot pass someone. Even a U-turn, which is a 180-degree turn, is permitted in this case according to the "California Driver Handbook", unless it is explicitly prohibited otherwise.
In residential areas, however, the driver is only allowed to make a U-turn if no other vehicle is approaching within 60 meters. However, U-turns are prohibited in so-called "Business Districts," which also include areas with churches, apartment buildings, nightclubs, and public buildings. Interestingly, the manual also points out that U-turns are prohibited on one-way streets. Something to think about, right!