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By Roz Rogoff

About this blog: In January 2002 I started writing my own online "newspaper" titled "The San Ramon Observer." I reported on City Council meetings and other happenings in San Ramon. I tried to be objective in my coverage of meetings and events, and... (More)

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Recycled water and Distracted driving

Uploaded: Apr 5, 2014

I am frequently sent Press Releases from various organizations to publish in the San Ramon Express. My Editors and reporters are sent them too. When I was writing my San Ramon Observer website I would always identify a Press Release as a Press Release and not pretend I wrote it.

I often see PR pieces in newspapers or blogs with a by line or "Staff Report." I don't do that. I believe readers deserve to know if an organization is sending out information they want the public to know.

I received two Press Releases this week. One from the Dublin San Ramon Services District (DSRSD) about their recycled water program and another from the San Ramon Police Department.

The DSRSD piece is about using recycled water for construction projects to save drinking water. "The Dublin San Ramon Services District requires contractors to use recycled water instead of potable water for construction activities like dust control, grading and compaction."

Additional details are provided on how to apply for a "recycled water construction meter" or "a permit to fill water trucks." Contact Ryan Prendergraft at 925-875-2242 to apply for a meter or Ann Ciliuti at 925-875-2334 to schedule an appointment to fill a water truck.

The Press Release from the San Ramon Police Department is on "National Distracted Driving Awareness Month."

"During the month of April, the San Ramon Police Department, in cooperation with the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and the U.S. Department of Transportation will be cracking down on Distracted Driving. This month patrol and traffic officers will be focusing their efforts on distracted driving. As part of our OTS grant, the San Ramon Police Department will have additional personnel on the street specifically looking for distracted drivers. Distracted Driving is a serious problem both nationally and locally."

It's about time the San Ramon Police paid more attention to distracted drivers. My accident in January, 2013 was caused by a kid (18 years old) running the red light at the intersection of Bollinger Canyon Road and Alcosta while looking for his cell phone which he dropped on the floor of his SUV.

"Talking on a cell phone or texting is the number one source of driver distractions," according to the Press Release. So why is cracking down on distracted drivers only for the month of April? Our police should be watching for the un-watching all of the time.

I'm fully recovered from the accident, but I'm still a little bitter about it. I wasn't "distracted" by using or losing a cell phone on the floor of my car, but I wasn't as alert to the traffic around me as I should have been. After the light on Alcosta turned green, I blithely drove into the intersection without looking to see if anyone was coming from either side. Now I drive defensively just in case someone else isn't as careful about watching where they are going.

Comments

Posted by Rich Halket, a resident of Dublin,
on Apr 5, 2014 at 7:43 pm

Roz,

I pushed a few years back for recycled water hydrants in case we needed to steer construction that way. We have pretty good coverage

Web Link

I hope your rainwater capture system is full. I'm afraid it is going to be a long dry summer.

Cheers
Rich

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Posted by Roz Rogoff, the San Ramon Observer,
on Apr 5, 2014 at 11:12 pm
Roz Rogoff is a registered user.

Rich,

Thanks for the link. Yes the Press Release also covered the recycled water hydrants, but I wanted to get in my say about Distracted Drivers for obvious reasons.

DSRSD has been at the forefront of water recycling. I recall that Tom Ford was pushing for that 14 years ago. Bert is giving a presentation at the San Ramon City Council meeting Tuesday night. I might go to it, but it's scheduled towards the end of the meeting. I don't like being out late anymore.

My barrels are all filled up. In fact the south side are overflowing from the recent (finally) rains. I noticed a few years ago when we had rain in June that the weather patterns are changing. We are in a drought because we didn't have enough rain during the "rainy season," but the times they are a changing and so are the seasons.

Roz

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Posted by Dale Earnhardt, a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood,
on Apr 12, 2014 at 5:22 pm

"Now I drive defensively just in case someone else isn't as careful about watching where they are going."

Let's see, just how many years had you been allowed to drive an auto on the roadways before you lit upon this gem of wisdom? Fast learner!

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Posted by San Ramon Observer, a resident of San Ramon,
on Apr 12, 2014 at 6:50 pm
San Ramon Observer is a registered user.

Dale,

I have been driving for 55 years, ever since I was 16. I had one minor accident when I was about 18 when I bumped a car backing out of a driveway. There was a little damage to her car and no injuries. Then for the next 52 years I did not have any accidents at all.

The accident that happened last year was because an 18 year old kid (must be the age for accidents) was speeding through a red light while I was driving through a green light. I didn't see him coming but even if I had, it would have been too late to do anything to prevent it.

Roz

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