Traffic safety violations are one of the major reasons, outside of speeding, that can bring an expensive traffic ticket to motorists. This year several new traffic laws were passed by the legislature that drivers should be aware of.
New stricter provisions have been added to the California Vehicle Code, VC 22450, which prohibits rolling stops at street stop signs or at a railway grade before crossing the track. If those VC rules are violated, a larger fine may be imposed and it will show on the motorists driving record which could increase auto insurance rates.
Here is what VC 22450 says in part: “The driver of any vehicle approaching a stop sign at the entrance or within an intersection shall stop at a limit line, if marked, otherwise before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection.
“If there is no limit line at crosswalk, the driver shall stop at the entrance to the intersecting roadway.
“The driver of a vehicle approaching a stop sign at railroad grade crossing shall stop at the limit line, if marked otherwise, before crossing the first track or entrance to the railroad crossing.”
Stop signs are there to enhance safety on the highways. Motorists should heed these rules. Remember the first violation will cost $238 or more, plus court costs and assessments which could be high. Multiple violations could result in stiffer fines, increasing points, and the possibility of not being able to drive a vehicle on the roads in California.
Caltrans
The California Department of Transportation announced in a virtual public information session on Tuesday, Sept. 10, it will soon begin construction for the SR-79 Shoulder Widening Safety Project near Temecula and Aguanga. Watch for signs on SR-79 in the coming weeks for the beginning of this project. Some work on these highways has already been completed but more is needed as traffic use increases.
RCTC
The Riverside County Transportation Committee also is still working on ways to complete the work and funding plan for the State Route 74 realignment that upgrades the transportation corridor from the edges of Temecula, Murrieta and Menifee through Winchester (Winchester Road), Hemet and San Jacinto to the edge of Beaumont, although they decided not to place a one cent sales tax measure for that and other projects on the upcoming November ballot.
Lake Elsinore
Caltrans contractor crews continue their work on the Morrill Canyon Bridge located east of the county line, between Ortega Oaks Candy Store and Tenaja Truck Trail. Caltrans reports that there may be a full 55-hour weekend closure of Highway 74 at the Candy Store and Tenaja Truck Trail near the bridge site on Sept. 13 through Sept. 15 starting at 6 a.m. The work may be required to perform k-rail installation, structure work, HMA paving, excavation, abutment and other work activities. Weekday work may also occur. All work is weather and material dependent meaning delays and changes may occur in the work schedule.
Residents and commuters must take alternate routes to go around the closure. Drivers from the Orange County side will not be permitted through the work zone to reach Tenaja Truck Trail or east to Riverside County. Residents west of Tenaja Truck Trail, including Ortega Oaks RV Park and Campground and the Candy Store will be directed to the Orange County side of the route.
Residents east of Tenaja Truck Trail will be directed to enter and exit the route via the Lake Elsinore side. During above mentioned work hours the route will be closed to through traffic. Emergency response vehicles only will be permitted through the work zone.
Motorists and residents are advised that they may experience long delays due to construction operations. Please obey all posted signs and traffic instructions, as CHP will be on location and citing any offenders.
Murrieta and Menifee
Caltrans contractors will be performing daytime work near the cities of Menifee and Murrieta on Interstate 215. The daytime work is scheduled from Tuesday to Friday, between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. Shoulder closures will be in effect, but commuter access will still be available. The project aims to improve road surface, update shoulder rumble strips, enhance culverts, upgrade guardrails, stabilize slopes, and boost highway worker safety along the stretch near Murrieta, from one mile north of Clinton Keith Road to one mile north of Newport Road.
This week, construction crews will work on landscaping, guardrail and fence installation, rock blanket placement, and other related tasks. Daytime shoulder closures will be in effect throughout the project area. Nighttime work will take place on I-215 SB and will extend to Keller Road undercrossing. Additionally, work will continue both northbound and southbound on I-215 between Clinton Keith Road and McCall Blvd., covering postmiles R12.51 to R 20.842.
Hemet
Caltrans continues work on the corridor improvement project on State Route 74 (Florida Ave.), in Hemet. This project will repave and rehabilitate 49 lane miles, install Traffic Management Systems (TMS), upgrade curb ramps, sidewalks and driveways to ADA standards (Americans with Disabilities Act), enhance bike lane signage and striping, and upgrade bus pads within the project parameters.
Currently the crews are working on driveways, curb ramps, sidewalk construction and micro trenching. Watch for alternate route signage for business access. There may be a number of lane changes required as the work progresses. The hours of operation nightly are Sunday through Thursday 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. The night work ends Friday morning and the daytime hours are Monday through Friday 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Paving operations are taking place during the night, however the highway will remain open during construction. Any flagging operations will be primarily at night. Radar detection signs will be in place. Expect delays up to 15 minutes. There will be intermittent, short-term closures for equipment relocation and construction staging purposes. Sidewalks and pedestrians will also be affected during ADA curb ramp construction.
The Strawberry Creek Bridge project on Highway 74 leading from Hemet to Mountain Center is continuing with the temporary traffic signal operational. Use caution and obey the traffic signal as only one lane will be open in that area.
Tony Ault can be reached at tault@reedermedia.com.
