The mission of the Traffic Safety Unit is to gain voluntary compliance with the California Vehicle Code to increase safety for the motoring and pedestrian public. To this end, the Traffic Unit utilizes a multitude of proactive enforcement efforts, preventative patrols, technology, community education and analysis of traffic collision data.
It is a goal of the El Cerrito Police Department to decrease speed-related collisions. Speeding is one of the most prevalent factors contributing to traffic crashes, and is a factor in one-third of all fatal crashes in California
In 2006, the number of collisions were down over 12% to 502 collisions, compared with previous years. This decline is attributed to the fact that El Cerrito traffic officers issued more speed citations compared with the previous year. Although no driver likes to receive a citation, the Citys increased enforcement efforts led to a positive reduction in injury and non-injury collisions.
The El Cerrito Police Department responds to all vehicle collisions including those on private property and those collisions causing property damage only. Our Department is committed to providing service to our residents and responding to every collision is an example of our service and dedication.
Radar Trailer Requests
Residents and Business owners can request the "Radar Trailer"
The Radar Trailer can be deployed on City streets and is an effective visual reminder to drivers to maintain the speed limit and is a useful tool for the police department too.
There is a computer inside the radar trailer that tracks the vehicle count. For example, if the trailer is out for 8 hours the computer tracks the speed and the time all of the vehicles that pass the trailer during that time. This data about traffic flow and speed is then reviewed by a police officer. As a follow-up to the request for the radar trailer, an officer will often conduct traffic enforcement at the same location.
The collected data is also useful when preparing an Engineering and Traffic Survey.
REQUEST THE RADAR TRAILER ON YOUR STREET
To request the radar trailer, contact Sgt. Steve Bonini at sbonini@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us or call during business hours at (510) 215-4400. When sending an email or leaving a message, be sure to include the following:
- Your name
- Your address
- Your contact information (phone and or email)
- Location where you are requesting the trailer (must be a City street)
- Time of day when you are requesting the trailer
- Brief description regarding the problem (such as speeding vehicles, reckless drivers, etc.)
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| A Police Officer uses lidar to determine the speed of passing vehicles. |
What is a Traffic and Engineering Survey and what does the information mean?
A traffic and engineering survey is used to determine the prevailing speeds and to establish a speed limit. Traffic and Engineering surveys need to have been completed within five years.
As defined by the California Vehicle Code:
- 627. (a) "Engineering and traffic survey," as used in this code, means a survey of highway and traffic conditions in accordance with methods determined by the Department of Transportation for use by state and local authorities.
- (b) An engineering and traffic survey shall include, among other requirements deemed necessary by the department, consideration of all of the following:
- (1) Prevailing speeds as determined by traffic engineering measurements.
- (2) Accident records.
- (3) Highway, traffic, and roadside conditions not readily apparent to the driver.
- (c) When conducting an engineering and traffic survey, local authorities, in addition to the factors set forth in paragraphs (1) to (3), inclusive, of subdivision (b) may consider all of the following:
- (1) Residential density, if any of the following conditions exist on the particular portion of highway and the property contiguous thereto, other than a business district:
- (A) Upon one side of the highway, within a distance of a quarter of a mile, the contiguous property fronting thereon is occupied by 13 or more separate dwelling houses or business structures.
- (B) Upon both sides of the highway, collectively, within a distance of a quarter of a mile, the contiguous property fronting thereon is occupied by 16 or more separate dwelling houses or business structures.
- (C) The portion of highway is longer than one-quarter of a mile but has the ratio of separate dwelling houses or business structures to the length of the highway described in either subparagraph (A) or (B).
- (2) Pedestrian and bicyclist safety.
85th Percentile Speed
Q: What is the 85th percentile speed?
ANSWER: If the speeds of all motorists are ranked from slowest to fastest, the "85th percentile speed" separates the slower 85rom the fastest 15%.
(Similarly, the average speed separates the fastest 50
nd the slowest 50% of motorists in a normal speed distribution. In other words, the average speed is typically the "50th percentile speed").
Q: Why the 85th percentile?
Why not the 99th, or 75th or 30th percentile?
ANSWER: Two reasons.
1. Most motorists travel at about the same speeds, so setting the speed limit at the 85th percentile legalizes the vast majority of motorists. About 70% of motorists travel in a 10-mph grouping (called the "pace"), which generally covers all but the fastest 15
nd slowest 15%. If the speed limit were set at the average speed, only 50% of motorists would be legalized. Setting the speed limit about 5-mph higher (at the 85th percentile) legalizes the vast majority of motorists. Raising the speed limit another 5-mph wouldn't legalize that many more drivers, because the fastest 15
nd the slowest 15% tend to more widely dispersed in traffic speeds.
2. Research suggests that motorists far outside the normal traffic flow have higher accident rates. A speed limit at about the 85th percentile ("about" because speed limits are posted in 5-mph increments) legalizes consensus of most motorists, and after a reasonable enforcement tolerance, focuses law enforcement on motorists far outside the normal flow.
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