By Traffic Stop

With discussion of traffic issues very much in the local news, members of the Los Altos Police Department are presenting a question-and-answer column on traffic in the Town Crier once a month.

Q: Does a ticket received for the new Municipal Code Ordinance for making a left turn across the double yellow lines affect my driving record?

A: No. Even though it is issued to the driver on a citation form, the violation is not part of the California Vehicle Code and is considered non-traffic related. The violation does not get reported to the Department of Motor Vehicles or your insurance company, nor do you need to attend traffic school.

Q: Can a driver legally pass a vehicle to the left of the solid double yellow lines in the downtown area when the vehicle in front is waiting to pull into a parking space?

A: No. Section 21460 (a) of the California Vehicle Code prohibits drivers from driving to the left of the solid double yellow lines except when turning left at an intersection or into or from a private driveway or road. A passing maneuver in the downtown area is especially hazardous because of the volume of vehicle and pedestrian traffic. It also increases the chances of a head-on collision with vehicles traveling the opposite direction. This violation does get reported to DMV.

Officer Paul Arguelles is part of the Los Altos Police Department’s traffic enforcement team. Submit questions by calling him at 948-8223 or sending them to the Los Altos Town Crier, 138 Main St., Los Altos 94022.