2008 Woodie Awards
San Marcos Sheriff's Department cracks down on traffic control
Congested intersections are quickly becoming a byproduct of CSUSM growth
Jonathan Thompson
Issue date: 2/26/08 Section: News
The intersection of Craven Road and Twin Oaks Valley Road often accumulates congested traffic. The congested traffic creates chaos for Cougars and local residents. Recently, the San Marcos Sheriff's Department notified CSUSM of the constant complaints they receive regarding the intersection. Due to the overwhelming complaints from city residents, the sheriff's department plans to focus more attention on the intersection.
The sheriff's department aims to enforce all vehicle codes, but more specifically, they plan to focus on violations of Vehicle Code 22526, also known as the Anti-Gridlock Law. The violation costs approximately $150. University police are currently focusing on other aspects of traffic inside CSUSM. If the sheriff's department requests assistance in patrolling the intersection, then university police will offer its support in the matter as well.
Drivers violate the code when "they are sitting in a busy intersection and it is his/her turn to go through but they cannot make it all the way through the light and it turns red. They are blocking the intersection," said Lieutenant Douglas Miller of the University Police Department.
"It is pretty basic. You block the intersection and you get a ticket just like anywhere else. The problem is really that the traffic is headed down one lane. Students need to pay attention" said Junior Business Major Scott Brankov.
Miller offers several suggestions in reducing congestion for Cougars. He identifies 7:45 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., Monday through Thursday; 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., on Monday and Wednesday; and 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., on Tuesday and Thursday as peak traffic times. Miller further suggests that by increasing awareness of these times Cougars can arrive at alternate times to reduce the problems associated with peak traffic congestion.
"Nobody parks in X, Y, or Z lot. Very few students park in upper or lower B lot. If people managed when they came onto campus and parked on B, X, Y, and Z lots then they would reduce a lot of traffic. They pass open spaces. If we can get people to show up on non-peak times and park in other spaces, it would greatly reduce traffic," said Miller.
The traffic lights installed last semester aid in assisting traffic.
"Redesign would only help so much. If so many people all arrive at the same time, then there is going to be traffic," said Miller.
"Having those lights put up was supposed to relieve traffic, but they have also caused traffic problems. For instance, traffic going to the top parking lot. The school meant well but the school stop lights are only doing so much" said Junior Nursing Major Marc Fontanares.
Some students feel the traffic lights inside CSUSM have helped as well.
"I feel the signals have helped the traffic on campus. It seems more controlled than before," said Junior Business Major Danielle Duncan.
Ultimately, Cougars and city residents can benefit from stricter enforcement at the intersection.
"If people are not blocking the intersection then traffic will flow much smoother for everyone," said Miller.
The sheriff's department aims to enforce all vehicle codes, but more specifically, they plan to focus on violations of Vehicle Code 22526, also known as the Anti-Gridlock Law. The violation costs approximately $150. University police are currently focusing on other aspects of traffic inside CSUSM. If the sheriff's department requests assistance in patrolling the intersection, then university police will offer its support in the matter as well.
Drivers violate the code when "they are sitting in a busy intersection and it is his/her turn to go through but they cannot make it all the way through the light and it turns red. They are blocking the intersection," said Lieutenant Douglas Miller of the University Police Department.
"It is pretty basic. You block the intersection and you get a ticket just like anywhere else. The problem is really that the traffic is headed down one lane. Students need to pay attention" said Junior Business Major Scott Brankov.
Miller offers several suggestions in reducing congestion for Cougars. He identifies 7:45 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., Monday through Thursday; 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., on Monday and Wednesday; and 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., on Tuesday and Thursday as peak traffic times. Miller further suggests that by increasing awareness of these times Cougars can arrive at alternate times to reduce the problems associated with peak traffic congestion.
"Nobody parks in X, Y, or Z lot. Very few students park in upper or lower B lot. If people managed when they came onto campus and parked on B, X, Y, and Z lots then they would reduce a lot of traffic. They pass open spaces. If we can get people to show up on non-peak times and park in other spaces, it would greatly reduce traffic," said Miller.
The traffic lights installed last semester aid in assisting traffic.
"Redesign would only help so much. If so many people all arrive at the same time, then there is going to be traffic," said Miller.
"Having those lights put up was supposed to relieve traffic, but they have also caused traffic problems. For instance, traffic going to the top parking lot. The school meant well but the school stop lights are only doing so much" said Junior Nursing Major Marc Fontanares.
Some students feel the traffic lights inside CSUSM have helped as well.
"I feel the signals have helped the traffic on campus. It seems more controlled than before," said Junior Business Major Danielle Duncan.
Ultimately, Cougars and city residents can benefit from stricter enforcement at the intersection.
"If people are not blocking the intersection then traffic will flow much smoother for everyone," said Miller.
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