The Barnes Firm

Tackling Traffic

• June 7, 2016
• Sandy

LOS ANGELES – Traffic is one of the leading causes of injury in the United States, and few cities have more collisions than L.A. That’s why the city recently published a new plan that it hopes will reduce Los Angeles traffic accidents in 2017 by 20 percent.

The plan, laid out by the Los Angeles Department of Transportation, is the first part of the agency’s Vision Zero initiative, which aims to eliminate serious crashes by 2020.

Since Vision Zero was adopted in 2015, officials haven’t had much success in reducing the number of motor vehicle collisions. More than 250 pedestrians and bicyclists were killed by vehicle traffic in Los Angeles last year; more than any other American city.

After years of declining numbers, traffic deaths skyrocketed in 2016, and by some estimates, a person was killed in L.A. traffic every 40 hours.

Traffic officials had to rethink their Vision Zero strategy.

That’s where this new plan comes in.

The plan identified several streets that are risky areas for pedestrians and cyclists. In fact, 65 percent of all traffic-related injuries and deaths occurred on just six percent of the city’s streets.

In addition to making safety improvements to the streets identified as ‘high risk,’ city officials say people can expect more enforcement of traffic safety laws, including a crackdown on distracted driving and speeding.

According to the latest numbers, deadly collisions involving two or more vehicles were up almost 50 percent in 2016. A Los Angeles car accident lawyer at The Barnes Firm says the spike indicates speed is often an issue.

“These aren’t fender benders when drivers are getting killed on the streets in Los Angeles,” car accident attorney John Sheehan said. “Cars have many safety features like air bags and seat belts, so when a driver is seriously injured, it’s very likely they were going faster than 30 miles per hour.”

Some city officials have suggested that speed limits are already too high in some areas – and as the speed increases, the chance of survival decreases, especially for pedestrians.

Researchers have found that when a person is struck by a car going 40 miles per hour, there’s only a 10 percent chance of survival. At 20 miles per hour, pedestrians have an 80 percent survival rate.

Some of the key points of the city’s new strategy to reduce traffic deaths include:

• Reducing speed limits
• Changes to road design
• High-tech speed enforcement
• Introduction of autonomous vehicles

Even if the plan is fully implemented, safety advocates say irresponsible drivers will still find their way behind the wheel. Whether they’re drunk, tired, or distracted, drivers have a responsibility to keep themselves and others safe from a car crash.

If you’ve been injured by a negligent driver, the Los Angeles car accident lawyers at The Barnes Firm can help. With offices in downtown L.A., our experienced attorneys can investigate your case and help maximize your compensation.

Call today for a free case evaluation.

The Barnes Firm 1-(800) 800-0000