Browse archives: 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996 | 1995

Published on 01/04/1999 All articles from this issue

Speeders, beware of new traffic cops

printer friendly version

Editorial

Starting this week, Los Altos will have more to counter naughty drivers besides "Be An Angel - Drive 25" signs and cold stares from the guy only authorized to hand out parking tickets. Two traffic enforcement officers - yes, officers assigned specifically to handle traffic violations and impound the vehicles of unlicensed drivers - begin patrols this week, on motorcycles no less.

What happens from here is this: if you regularly make U-turns to grab parking spaces on Main Street, or if you consistently do 40 mph on Almond Avenue, your chances of being cited are now greater that they were before.

The odds of getting caught will even increase later this year, when the city funds a third officer. This officer's only function will be traffic enforcement.

As Los Altos City Councilman King Lear points out in his "Other Voices" column on this page, the council approved a Neighborhood Traffic Advisory Task Force recommendation for the traffic enforcement unit and a public education effort. We find the action needed and welcome, because as Los Altos activity continues to become more intense, so does the traffic.

The new traffic enforcement effort will probably increase the consciousness of those who drive unsafely when they become distracted at the wheel. We would like this to be the product of a New Year's resolution to drive more cautiously. But in reality, the threat of a speeding ticket may have even greater effect.

Los Altos is still a relatively safe community. Still, the potential for problems is there: many of our side streets are dimly lit, and there are few sidewalks. Downtown, with its busy, unlighted intersections and noontime parking problems, also holds potential for accidents.

If we can slow down, either through our own New Year's resolutions or by threat of traffic tickets, perhaps we can even better enjoy and appreciate what our community has to offer.