TRAFFIC Division

Motorcycle OfficerThe goal of the Traffic Division is to help reduce the number of collisions citywide through an aggressive enforcement program, educational efforts, and in cooperation with the City's Traffic Engineer. Additionally, members provide parking enforcement, abandoned vehicle abatement, and coordination of special events.

Traffic Enforcement

Our enforcement efforts target those areas of our city with the greatest number of collisions. We continue to see a direct correlation between the number of enforcement contacts and the number of collisions - the more police presence the fewer the accidents.

We also work in partnership with school districts to provide enforcement in and around our public school zones. If you have a question or concern about traffic at your school, call us at (760) 931-2106.

Furthermore, we respond to individual requests for traffic enforcement. If you have a problem in your neighborhood, you may call us at (760) 931-2290 or Contact Us | Police Department. We will contact you about your request and inform you about the efforts we made to help address your concerns.

Collision Investigations

The Carlsbad Police Department documents all traffic collisions occurring on public roadways except for minor "fender benders" if all involved parties agree on the minor nature of the collision, have exchanged driver and insurance information, and all vehicles can be driven from the scene under their own power. The Traffic Division is responsible for investigating serious and fatal injury collisions. Additionally, the Traffic Division reviews all hit and run collisions and provides follow-up when suspect information is available.

Parking Enforcement/Abandoned Vehicles

We employ a Community Service Officer who specializes in parking enforcement and abandoned vehicle abatement. If you have any concerns about illegal parking, or want to report a vehicle abandoned on city streets, please call the Abandoned Vehicle Hotline at (760) 931-2289 and leave a message with the location, license number, description, and any other observations.

According to California Vehicle Code Section 22651(k), and Carlsbad Municipal Code 10.40.010(a), it is unlawful to park a vehicle on any street or public place in excess of 72 or more consecutive hours. Vehicles not driven more than one-tenth of a mile from its original position every 72 hours are subject to citation or towing at owner's expense.

Contesting a Parking Ticket

MotorcycleIf you wish to contest the validity of a parking ticket, you must do so within 21 days of the issue date. To contest, bring a copy of your citation to the City of Carlsbad Finance Department, 1635 Faraday Avenue, and request a Parking Citation Review form or call (760) 602-2403.

The Police Department will review your request for dismissal at two different supervisory levels. If the Police Department review finds your citation valid, you may appeal this decision and request a review by a neutral civilian mediator. If the civilian mediator finds your citation valid, your final level of appeal is before a judicial hearing officer (Judge or Commissioner) of the Superior Court.

If your parking ticket is correctable, bring your copy of the citation to the Police Department, 2560 Orion Way, with proof of correction. Two of the most common types of correctable citations dismissed this way are failing to display your valid handicapped placard at the time of the citation, or getting your vehicle registration current.

If Your Vehicle is Towed

If your vehicle has been towed and there is a "POLICE HOLD," you must obtain a "VEHICLE IMPOUND RELEASE" from the Carlsbad Police Department before the tow company can return your car. To obtain this release, the registered or legal owner of the vehicle must come to the police department with a valid driver license or with identification and a licensed driver. The police department charges a fee to offset costs of the release. Impound release hours are Monday thru Friday (excluding City holidays) from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Please call (760) 931-2119 for information on whether your vehicle will require a release.

If your vehicle does not require a police department release, you may pick up your vehicle directly from the company that towed your vehicle.

Additional Resources