To drive safely in Fresno, California, it’s important to know the local traffic rules. Let’s break them down so they’re easy to understand.
- First, you need to follow the speed limits, which change depending on where you are in the city. This helps keep everyone safe on the roads.
- Driving under the influence (DUI) is taken very seriously here, with tough laws to stop people from driving when they shouldn’t.
- It’s also important not to use your cell phone while driving, unless you have a hands-free device. This rule helps you stay focused on the road and avoid crashes.
- When it comes to parking, Fresno has specific rules that make sure there’s enough space for everyone and that emergency vehicles can get through.
- Pedestrians have certain rights, like when they cross the street, drivers must stop for them. This is all about sharing the road and looking out for each other.
By understanding these rules, you can drive through Fresno without any problems.
Speed Limits and Zones
If you’re driving in Fresno, California, it’s really important to follow the speed limits to keep everyone safe and to obey the traffic laws. These speed limits are set after careful consideration of the road conditions, how busy the roads are, and safety studies.
In neighborhoods, the speed limit is usually 25 mph to protect residents. Near businesses or schools, the limit is also 25 mph during school hours, and you’ll see signs telling you this. On bigger roads, the speed limit can be between 35 and 55 mph, which lets cars go faster but still keeps walkers and bike riders safe.
As a driver, you must stick to these speed limits because breaking them can lead to fines and a higher chance of causing a crash.
DUI Regulations
In Fresno, California, drivers are held to tough DUI laws that help prevent accidents caused by drinking and driving. The law says if you’re 21 or older, you can’t have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or more. If you’re younger than 21, you can’t have any alcohol in your system at all. People who drive for work, like truck drivers, can only have a BAC of up to 0.04%.
The police take these rules seriously, and if you break them, you could end up paying fines, losing your license, having to go to DUI school, or even going to jail. If you get caught more than once, the punishment gets tougher each time. These laws show that Fresno is really serious about keeping its roads safe and that it won’t tolerate drinking and driving.
Cell Phone Usage
In Fresno, just like the rules against drunk driving, there are tough laws on using your cellphone while driving to keep everyone safe on the road. The law, known as California Vehicle Code Section 23123, says you can’t hold your phone or use any similar device when you’re driving. If you’re 18 or older, you’re allowed to use them only if you have a hands-free setup. But if you’re younger than 18, you’re not allowed to use these devices at all, not even with hands-free gear.
If you don’t follow these rules, you’ll have to pay a fine, and the amount increases if you get caught more than once. There are some exceptions, like if you’re a paramedic or a firefighter, or if you need to call the police or other emergency services.
The reason behind these strict rules is to lower the number of crashes caused by drivers not paying attention to the road. By doing this, California shows it’s serious about making driving safer for everyone.
Parking Rules
In Fresno, California, parking rules are set up to keep traffic moving safely and make sure emergency vehicles can get through. You must follow the parking signs exactly.
In places where people live, you might only be able to park for a short time or if you have a permit, to make sure residents have space. You can’t park on the street when they’re cleaning it, so the city can keep the streets tidy.
If you park where you shouldn’t, like in front of a fire hydrant, in a crosswalk, or in a disabled parking spot without the right permit, you could get a fine or even have your car towed away. Local parking officers are always watching to make sure everyone follows these important rules.
Pedestrian Right-of-Way
Car owners need to know parking rules, but they must also remember that people walking in Fresno have the right to go first at crosswalks and corners. This rule helps keep people safe and tells drivers how they should act.
In Fresno, this isn’t just being polite—it’s the law. Cars have to wait for people walking in crosswalks, whether they’re painted on the road or not, as California’s driving laws say in Section 21950.
Also, the law says that people walking shouldn’t step off the curb or another safe spot and move into traffic quickly, causing danger.
Both drivers and people walking need to be careful and follow the rules that apply to them.
Conclusion
To wrap it up, it’s really important to follow Fresno’s road rules to keep everyone safe and things running smoothly.
Things like how fast you can drive, not drinking and driving, when you can use your phone, where you can park, and making sure people walking get to cross the street safely all make up the rules that drivers and walkers need to follow.
When everyone sticks to these rules and the police make sure they’re followed, we can cut down on crashes and make sure everyone gets along on Fresno’s streets.