I don’t know if you answer questions like this so just ignore this if you don’t. Are “Speed Checked by Radar” signs required in rural areas of Shasta County surface roads in order to be ticketed by the CHP for speeding? There seems to be a lot of myth about this and I can’t find any useful info.
The simple answer is ‘no’. But with everything I discuss, there should be some discussion. Roadways that have a posted speed limit of less than 55 m.p.h. have to have a speed survey on file with the court in order for the court to accept a citation based on the use of radar. There are a few exceptions for example. This does not mean that a citation can not be issued; it just means that if the citation was written based on radar, a speed survey should be on file. The roadway is posted 25 mph and is not surveyed, you are clocked on radar at 65 mph, the officer can issue the citation based on his visual estimate and the radar reading and both can be used in court.
With radar citations, the court is establishing the officers training in estimating a vehicle’s speed and then confirming the speed with the radar. Most radar certified officers are very capable of estimating a vehicles speed within a few miles per hour and then verify their estimate with the radar. If the officer is pacing you on one of these roadways the calibration of his vehicle is of concern. Officers are very familiar with the requirements as they pertain to speed enforcement, calibration, traffic surveys and everything the court requires at the time they take enforcement action.
Many, but not all roads that are surveyed have the signs posted. Roadways with a 55 mph speed limit or faster are not necessarily posted. The posting is more of a reminder to watch your speed, just as the signs indicating speed checked by aircraft. There is no law requiring these roadways to be posted, but it’s nice to be able to point it out to the violator after you have stopped them and say, ‘didn’t you see the sign?’
I recently purchased a cabover truck camper and would like to know if and under what circumstances it would be legal for people to ride in it during travel. I read your column on a regular basis and it has been very informative. Thank you for your years of public service and Merry Christmas to you and yours.
I recall back in the day, when you would see a couple of kids looking out the window of the cabover camper and just having a good ol’ time. The vehicle code used to exempt persons riding in a camper or camper shell as long as it prevented you from being ejected. But what happens in a crash? You don’t even want to think about it. The vehicle code is very specific regarding seatbelt usage. Every person riding in a motor vehicle (yes there are a few exceptions, like buses) are required to be seat belted in properly. You are allowed in install seats and seat belt systems in the bed of a pickup truck if you have a need to transport passengers. There is a handout available at your local CHP office with specific information regarding these installations.
My question is: When on private property (i.e. malls, shopping centers, etc.) that has exiting stop signs, what is the law on stopping for them? All too often, I see people blow through them. Can they be cited?
Generally many of the vehicle code laws do not apply on private property. In many cases many of the large shopping centers and malls have postings at the entrances indicating that vehicle code laws do apply and since it is private property, but it is open to the public, there is a provision for enforcement. Many of the stop signs are actually at the curb line and are adjacent private property but are on public property.
I have noticed that in many private parking lots, there are markings on the pavement indicating for vehicles to stop, but no actual stop sign is posted. My suggestion is to comply with the roadway markings and in the event of a collision you will probably have an argument in your favor. These roadway markings are there to make travel in these lots safer for everyone, as long as everyone plays by the rules.
Regardless of the absence or presence of a stop sign, a right-of-way violation is always a possibility when pulling out of a private drive into the roadway. Please never assume that just because there is a stop sign that the driver of another vehicle is actually going to stop. With Holiday wishes, please go out and enjoy the ride.
Monty Hight is a retired California Highway Patrol officer and Public Information Officer. He is the North State AVOID Campaign’s Public Information Officer. He lives in Redding. More information on AVOID can be found here.
