A recent meeting of the Pacific Coast Highway Taskforce presented a detailed outline of safety concerns and accident avoidance strategies to the Malibu City Hall. The Malibu Times reported that so far this year a total of 96 traffic collisions occurred. According to the report, 35 auto accidents were caused by speeding, 15 by unsafe lane changes and 9 by right-of-way violations. There were 8 vehicle collisions caused by tailgating, 6 by improper turns, 5 by violations of traffic signals and signs, and 3 triggered by drunk drivers. There were 2 deaths resulting from the 96 documented auto accidents.
Elected leaders from the City of Malibu discussed opportunities to reduce the amount of speeding related auto accidents. Two leading ideas were to increase fines on PCH or hire extra California Highway Patrol Officers to enforce posted speed limits. An education initiative has been floated to increase public awareness of speeding accidents and deaths on PCH that could be prevented through responsible driving. Malibu is also bracing for traffic jams until 2012 due to installation of a new sewer system on PCH. Construction on the sewage system will close lanes and increase commute times across the city.
Malibu’s traffic control initiatives should have a positive effect on commuter safety. As a personal injury attorney in Los Angeles I urge motorists to slow down and enjoy the scenic drive Pacific Coast Highway has to offer. Too many preventable injury auto accidents and deaths result from speeding. Showing up at your destination a few minutes late is far better than not showing up at all.
