• I received a traffic citation, what do I do? How can I contest the citation?
• I received a parking ticket, what do I do? How can I contest the citation?
• I received a parking ticket, can I pay for it online?
• How can I find out if my vehicle has been towed?
• How can I get my vehicle out of impound?
• How can I report an abandoned vehicle?
• What can be done about illegally parked vehicles, such as those blocking a driveway?
• What are the top five violations that cause traffic collisions?
• What should I do if I’ve been involved in a traffic accident?
• What are the reporting requirements if I’ve been involved in a traffic accident?
• How do I make a traffic accident report?
• How can I obtain a copy of a police report or traffic report?

• Pay the fine (bail).
  
• Appear in court.
  
• Contest the violation
  
• Correct the violation (when applicable**)
  
• Request traffic school (when applicable).
  
• Request trial by written declaration.
  

If you do not do one of the above actions, then a “failure to appear” charge will be filed against you (Veh. Code, 40508(a)) and your driver’s license may be withheld, suspended, or revoked.

If you DO NOT contest the violation:

• Pay the bail amount. Contact the court for bail information. You will not have to appear in court. You will be convicted of the violation, and it will appear on your record at the DMV. A point count may be charged to your DMV record and your insurance may be adversely affected.
  
  
• Traffic School. You may be able to avoid the point count by completing traffic school. You must pay the bail amount, and you may have to pay other fees. After you attend traffic school the violation will be dismissed and the point count will not be added to your DMV record. Contact the court to request traffic school.
  

To contest the violation:

• Court trial. Send a certified or registered letter postmarked no later than five days prior to the appearance date or go into the traffic court before the appearance date to request a future court trial date. You will be required to submit the bail amount.
  
  
• Trial by Written Declaration. Send a certified or registered letter postmarked no later than five days prior to the appearance date or go to the court before the appearance date to request a trial by written declaration. Submit the bail amount. You will be given forms to allow you to write a statement and to submit other evidence without appearing in court. The Officer will also submit a written statement, The judicial officer will consider the evidence and decide the case.

For more information call the clerk of the court at:
Southern Branch –Traffic
500 County Center, Redwood City, CA 94063
(650) 363-4300

21801(a) VC – Improper Left Turn
A driver may not negotiate a left turn when another vehicle is approaching head on,
that is so close as to be a hazard.

21453(a) VC – Failing to stop at a red light
California has doubled the fine for red light violations.

23152(a) VC – Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs

21703(a) VC – Following too closely
You must follow the vehicle in front of you a distance that allows you to stop, no matter how quickly that vehicle stops. The three (3) second rule will allow you to easily judge this distance. The three second rule indicates that if you see the vehicle in front of you pass a object (i.e. cross walk line, light pole, etc) you should not pass that same object in less than three seconds.

• A person involved in the traffic collision has been injured (complaining of pain is considered injury) or dies.
• One of the drivers is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• One of the drivers has fled the location without stopping to exchange information or check on the welfare of the other parties involved.
• City property is involved (City vehicle, light post, signal light, etc.).
  

• The traffic collision occurred within the City of Redwood City
  
• A person involved in the traffic collision has been injured
  (complaint of pain is considered injury) or dies.
  
• One of the drivers is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
  
• One of the drivers has fled the location without stopping to exchange information
  or check on the welfare of the other parties involved.
  
• City property is involved (City vehicle, light post, signal post, etc.)
  

• The time and location (street address/cross streets) where the collision occurred.
  
• The license plate number of the vehicle he or she was driving
  when they were involved in the traffic collision.
  
• Driver’s license
  
• Insurance information (name of the insurance company and their policy number).
  
• The names, addresses, and phone numbers of all passengers in their vehicle
  
• If known, the license plate numbers, names, addresses,
  and phone numbers of all other involved drivers and passengers.
  

• What is Identity Theft?
• How Identity Theft Occurs
• How To Protect Against Identity Theft
• What To Do If You Are A Victim Of Identity Theft
• Sample Dispute Letter-Credit Card Issuer
• Sample Dispute Letter-Credit Bureau
• Credit Reporting Agencies
• To Report Fraudulent Use Of Your Checks Contact:
• Social Security Administration
• To Remove Your Name From Mail And Phone Lists:
• Victim Advice and Assistance
• Federal Agencies

• Do not routinely carry your Social Security card, your birth certificate,
  your passport or more than one or two credit cards.
• Always take credit card, debit card and ATM receipts with you.
  Never throw them in a public trash container.
  
• Do not leave bill payment envelopes at your mailbox for the postal carrier to pick up.
  Install a lock on your mailbox.
  
• Shred unused pre-approved credit card applications, receipts, bills, and other financial information.
  
• Order a copy of your credit report annually from the three major credit card reporting agencies.
  Check for accuracy and for indications of fraud.
  
• Never give out your credit card number, bank account, mother's maiden name or Social Security number over the phone unless you initiated the call and have a trusted business relationship with the business or organization.
  
• Guard against overuse of your Social Security number. Release it only when necessary.
  
• If a business requests your Social Security number, ask to use an alternate number.
  
• Cancel your unused credit cards.
  
• If you do not receive your credit card statement on time, it is possible and
  identity thief has filed a change of address request with the post office.
  
• Call the creditor to see if a change of address request has been filed in your name,
  or if additional or replacement credit cards have been requested on your account.
  
• Call the post office to see if a change of address request has been filed in your name.
  If this has happened, immediately notify the Postal Inspector.
  
• If you shop on the Internet, use a secure browser which encrypts
  or scrambles purchase information, or place your order by telephone or mail.
  
• Check your Social Security Earnings and Benefits statement once each year to make
• sure that someone else is not using your Social Security number for employment.
  
• Consider having your name removed from marketing lists. You can request from the three
  credit reporting agencies to refrain from giving your credit information to marketing companies.
  
• Opt out of pre-approved offers of credit.
  
• Consider not listing your residence telephone number in the telephone book.
  
• Make a list of, or photocopy, all of your credit cards and keep this list or photocopies in a safe place.
  
• When creating new passwords and PINs (personal identification numbers) do not use part of your Social Security number, birth date, middle name, mother's maiden name, or anything that a thief could easily deduce or discover.
  
• Memorize all your passwords and PINs. Never write them in your wallet, purse, Rolodex or PDA.
  
• When ordering new checks, pick them up at the bank instead of having them mailed to you at home.
  
• Shield the keypad when at an ATM or when making a calling card phone call.
  

1. Creditors. Contact all creditors immediately with whom your name has been used fraudulently. Get replacement cards with new account numbers for your accounts that have been used fraudulently.
   
2. Stolen checks. If you had checks stolen, or bank accounts set up fraudulently, report it to the check verification companies listed on the page 10. Put stop payment on any check you are unsure of. Cancel your checking account(s) and savings account(s) and obtain new account numbers.
   
3. Fraudulent change of address. Notify the local Postal Inspector if you suspect an identity thief has filed a change of address.
   
4. Driver's License number misuse. You may need to change your driver's license number if someone is using your identification on bad checks. Put a fraud alert on your license if another license was issued in your name.
   
5. ATM cards. If your ATM card has been stolen or compromised, get a new card, account number and password. Do not use your old password or your Social Security Number when creating a new password.
   
6. Social Security number misuse. Call the Social Security Administration to report fraud on your SSN.
   
7. Fraud Alert. Contact each of the three major credit reporting agencies and inform them of the theft of your credit cards, account numbers or identifying information.
   
8. Law enforcement. Report the crime to the law enforcement agency within the jurisdiction where you live (530.6 P.C.). Give them as much documentation as possible. Get a copy of your police report. Keep the phone number of your fraud investigator handy and give it to creditors and others who require verification of your case. Credit card companies and banks may also require you to show the report in order to verify the crime.
   
9. Phone service. If your long distance calling card has been stolen or if you have discovered fraudulent charges on your phone bill, cancel the account and open a new one and obtain a new password.
   
10. False civil and criminal judgments. Sometimes victims of identity theft are wrongfully accused of crimes committed by the impostor.

• What can I do if a street light is out on my block?
• How can I report a broken traffic light?
• What can I do about graffiti?
• What can I do about street gangs in my neighborhood?
• What can I do about my noisy neighbors?
• How to Report a Missing Person
• Where can I find a list of Redwood City Municipal codes?

• Talk to the child or teenager and discuss the consequences of being in a gang
  
• Talk to school officials and counselors inquiring if they are aware of campus problems and if there are any school programs that might help
  
• Contact government agencies such as your local law enforcement agency or juvenile authority. They may have a crime prevention or gang specialist who can give you valuable guidance. The Redwood City Police Department has a number of programs which may be of assistance to families dealing with gang affiliated youths
  
• Seek advice from religious leaders. They may know of programs that help neighborhood children stay out of gangs
  
• Report and immediately remove any graffiti in your neighborhood or local school grounds. The longer it remains, the more it attracts gang members
  
• Take action – this is the most important step you can take as an individual, a group or an organization. Do not ignore the signs of gang activity.
  

• A Neighborhood Watch Program in your neighborhood
  
• A graffiti abatement or clean-up program
  
• An intervention program for a young person at risk or involved in gang activity