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Mountain View Police Department
1000 Villa Street
Mountain View, CA 94041
650/903-6344
Directions & Map
Hours
General Business:
8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Mon.-Fri.)
Walk-in Crime Reports:
7 a.m. - 7 p.m. (7 days)
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Traffic accidents are the most common life-threatening event. Fortunately, there's a lot we can do to reduce the odds of being in a collision.
Safe driving isn't just navigating your car through town when nothing unexpected happens. It's driving in an alert manner, keeping an eye out for problems, and being prepared to respond.
.Speeding Tickets
 Most people think speeding tickets are for driving faster than the speed limit. Speeding tickets are actually for 'unsafe speed'. Unsafe speed can be dictated by such things as weather, traffic, construction, etc. You can also get citation for driving under the speed limit, when conditions make lower speeds unsafe. Traffic Officers
Traffic officers are deployed predominantly during daytime and early evening hours when traffic is heaviest. They patrol primarily on motorcycles to allow for a quick response when traffic is congested. The traffic team's focus is to promote the safe, smooth flow of traffic. This is accomplished through enforcement, prevention and education.
The traffic team works closely with city engineers to address traffic problems that can be mitigated through changes in lights, signs and roadways.
When I see someone driving recklessly?
Yes, call 9-1-1. Try to obtain the vehicle license number. If officers locate the driver and observe the violation, they may issue a citation. Otherwise, MVPD will send a letter to the registered owner advising them of the action observed.
When road debris is interfering with traffic? When there's a dead animal on the road?
Yes. Call non-emergency incidents (650/903-6395).
| Who to Call | | Name | Phone (650) | When to Call | | Traffic Engineering | 903-6311 | To make suggestions or report problems regarding road markings, traffic signals, stop signs, red zones, etc. | | Abandoned Vehicle Hotline | 903-6358 | To report abandoned vehicles on public property or roadways. | | Code Enforcement | 526-7713 | To report abandoned vehicles on private property, such as a residential front yard. | | Traffic Hotline | 903-6146 | For non-urgent traffic questions and complaints, particularly recurring problems, such as red light running, speeding, parking, etc. | | Non-emergency Incidents | 903-6395 | For non-urgent reports, such as debris in roadway, traffic signal outage, etc. | | 9-1-1 | 911 | For emergencies. For traffic accidents with injuries or involving vehicles that cannot be removed from the roadway. | | | Protect 182,000 Kids!
If all children were restrained properly, an estimated 182,000 serious injuries would be prevented each year.
Source: SafeKids
Top Driver Distractions - Eating, drinking, spilling
- Cell phone use
- Manipulating radio or music
- Smoking
- Reading or writing
- Grooming
- Babies, children
- Adult passengers
- Reaching, leaning
- Adjusting vehicle controls
- External distractions
Source: AAA Foundation
 Most Ticketed Offenses - Unsafe speed
- Failure to stop at stop sign
- Expired registration
- Unlicensed driver
- Running a red light
Pay $1000 to Send Your Car to Jail!
It's easy: lend your car to an unlicensed driver.
If s/he is stopped, the car will be impounded for 30 days, even if you weren't in it.
Includes expired or suspended licenses.
Cost to you: approx. $1000.
Review Driving Laws
California Driver Handbook
DMV Questions?
DMV
800/777-0133
Traffic Complaints?
Report Online
650/903-6146
More Police Contacts | | | | |
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Can I put tinted windows on my car?
Yes, but not in direct view of the driver (windshield and front door windows).
Usually window tinting installed at the factory conforms to state law. Windows behind the driver, including the rear windshield can be tinted. However, you may wish to consider safety. In particular, if the rear windshield is opaque, it's difficult to drive safely in reverse.
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Can I violate the speed limit if I'm taking a person to the emergency room?
No. The most important thing is to get to the emergency room safely. Getting into an accident will not aid your ill or injured passenger. It's not legal to drive at an unsafe speed, regardless of the reason. However, if you're stopped, an officer will assist you with the emergency, before determining if a citation is warranted.
Usually the fastest way to the best care is by dialing 9-1-1. Emergency care may begin with instructions from trained 9-1-1 operators and measures taken by paramedics on scene. In addition, emergency personnel direct certain types of emergencies to specific hospitals for specialty care.
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Does Mountain View have a traffic ticket quota?
No. Quotas are prohibited by the California Vehicle Code.
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Does my car have to have a front license plate?
Yes.
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How much of my car has to be in an intersection to avoid a citation for running a red light?
A red light violation occurs when the light turns red and your vehicle has not yet crossed the limit line. The limit line is defined as a solid white line not less that 12, nor more than 24 inches wide, extending across a roadway indicating where traffic is required to stop in compliance with legal requirements (Section 377 VC). This is usually the first line of a crosswalk.
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People drive too fast on my street. What can I do?
Call the police department's Traffic Hotline: 650/903-6146.
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What are common traffic laws that drivers forget?
1. Coming to a stop before making a right turn.
2. Obeying no turn signs with times on them, indicating you can't turn during certain hours.
3. Proper turning positions for right turns; turn from the rightmost lane to the rightmost lane avoiding the corner curb.
4. Proper turning positions for left turns; turn from the leftmost lane (or designated left turn lane) wide enough to enter the right-hand lanes without crossing the lanes traveling in the opposite direction.
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What are my obligations as a driver, if I get stopped by a police officer?
If asked, you must show your:
1. Driver's license
2. Vehicle registration
3. Proof of insurance
If you don't have all of these you may receive a citation.
If the officer believes you have been drinking you may be asked to perform a field sobriety test.
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What is the legal limit for lowering your car?
No lower than the lowest portion of the wheel rims.
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What should a driver do when an emergency vehicle needs to get through traffic?
When an emergency vehicle has lights and siren activated, all drivers need to pull over safely to the right-side curb. If it's unsafe, or you can't pull over, stop where you are. Do not move toward the left; emergency drivers are trained to travel in the leftmost lanes.
Open your window; emergency vehicle drivers may provide directions via loudspeaker.
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When a police officer signals to pull me over, what if there's no safe place to pull over?
If it's not safe, first acknowledge that you've seen the officer by turning on your flashers. Open your window; officers may provide directions via loudspeaker.
Drive at a slow but safe speed, until you see a safe opportunity for a pullover. If there's no parking lane, look for a parking lot. On a freeway with an unsafe shoulder, take the next exit. It's okay to pull over on private property if that's the only option.
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When traffic lights are out, does the police department put officers at intersections to direct traffic?
The police department monitors intersections with lights out. When it's necessary for public safety, MVPD will post an officer to direct traffic.
California law dictates that an intersection with non-operable lights is the same as a 4-way stop. If all motorists (and bicyclists) stop and take turns like at 4-way stops, there's no need for an officer to direct traffic.
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When I'm signaled to pull over, what if I'm not certain it's really a police officer?
Turn on your flashers, to signal your awareness of a pullover attempt. Drive at a safe but slow speed until you find a safe place to pull over. Choose a well lit, populated place like a shopping center or restaurant parking lot. You may also drive to a police or fire station.
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