All articles tagged with #traffic fatalities
California has launched a pilot program targeting drivers exceeding 100 mph, which could lead to license suspensions or revocations, in an effort to reduce traffic fatalities and reckless driving on dangerous highways, especially in Southern California where speeding-related deaths have increased significantly.
California is launching a pilot program called FAST to automatically review and potentially suspend licenses of drivers caught exceeding 100 mph, aiming to reduce traffic fatalities and improve road safety.
A study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety highlights that taller vehicles, such as SUVs and light trucks, pose a greater danger to pedestrians, especially at higher speeds. The research indicates that the risk of serious injury or fatality increases more rapidly for taller vehicles compared to shorter ones. This has prompted calls for federal safety standards addressing vehicle hood height and design to protect pedestrians. With pedestrian fatalities rising significantly since 2009, there is a push for regulations and technologies like automatic emergency braking to enhance road safety.
Teen siblings Elias and Sarah Cruz, ages 17 and 14, tragically died in a single-car crash in Rancho Cucamonga. Elias, a baseball enthusiast, was driving the car when it crashed into a power pole and a tree, also injuring another 17-year-old passenger. Their father, Ray Cruz, described Elias as a baseball fanatic and Sarah as a "bundle of energy." A vigil was held at the crash site, and a GoFundMe campaign has raised over $40,000 to support the family with funeral expenses.
Hoboken, New Jersey, has successfully eliminated traffic deaths for seven years by implementing Vision Zero guidelines, including the removal of parking spaces near intersections to improve visibility. While the plan has faced criticism from some business owners, the city's approach also includes lower speed limits, staggered traffic lights, and infrastructure changes such as widening curbs and shortening crosswalks. Other major U.S. cities have integrated aspects of the program into their safety plans, and states like California have enacted laws prohibiting parking near intersections to enhance pedestrian safety.
Richmond, Virginia, has installed automated enforcement cameras near schools to catch speeders, joining a growing list of cities using this technology to combat rising traffic fatalities. While advocates believe that automated enforcement can change driver behavior, critics argue that it can be a financial burden and disproportionately affect communities of color. New laws in California and Pennsylvania expand the use of speed cameras, with proponents emphasizing the need for equitable deployment and the potential for changing traffic culture.
Portland Police are investigating a fatal two-vehicle crash in North Portland that resulted in two deaths and injuries. The crash occurred at the intersection of North Marine Drive and North Leadbetter Road, with one vehicle catching fire. The Portland Police Traffic Division Major Crash Team is leading the investigation and is seeking information or evidence from witnesses. This incident marks the 10th and 11th traffic-related fatalities in Portland this year.
A fiery crash in Portland's St. Johns neighborhood resulted in the deaths of two individuals and left one person injured. The collision occurred on North Marine Drive at Leadbetter Road, with one of the vehicles catching fire. The incident is under investigation by the Portland police's Major Crash Team, and authorities are seeking information from the public. This marks the 10th and 11th traffic fatalities in Portland this year.
Five women from the same family were struck and killed by a tractor-trailer on Interstate 81 in northeastern Pennsylvania after leaving their vehicles following a crash in snowy conditions. The victims had lost control of their minivan and collided with a median barrier before being hit by the oncoming truck. The Pennsylvania State Police is investigating the incident, which occurred during a winter weather advisory with hazardous road conditions.
A decade after the adoption of Vision Zero in the U.S., the goal of eliminating traffic fatalities remains elusive, with some successes but many challenges. While some cities have seen a drop in roadway fatalities and have successfully implemented Vision Zero principles, others continue to struggle, facing pushback from residents and drivers, as well as obstacles from state rules. Despite efforts to lower speed limits, make streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists, and redesign dangerous intersections, the fight to end traffic deaths remains an uphill battle, with the ultimate goal still seeming far off.
A 15-year-old father-to-be was killed in a hit-and-run incident in Sun Valley, Los Angeles, when the driver of a Cadillac Escalade lost control, crashed into a parked car, and struck the teenager. The driver fled the scene but was later arrested for murder. The victim, Carlos Pech, was thrown into another parked car and pronounced dead at the scene. Another pedestrian was also injured by debris from the collision. The incident is under investigation.
Five people were killed in a head-on collision on Georgia Highway 111 in Colquitt County on Thanksgiving Day. The crash involved a Ram truck and a van, resulting in the deaths of five individuals. Four passengers from the van were airlifted to local trauma centers. The total number of traffic deaths in Georgia on Thanksgiving Day reached eight.
Six people were killed and one person sustained life-threatening injuries in a car crash in Houston after a speeding driver allegedly ran a red light. The collision occurred between a Chrysler 300 and an Acura SUV, with the Chrysler running a red light while the SUV had the green light. Four individuals died at the scene, while two others succumbed to their injuries at the hospital. The driver of the Chrysler, who ran the red light, also died. Speeding is a significant factor in traffic fatalities, accounting for nearly one-third of all deaths on the road.
Governor Gavin Newsom has signed legislation allowing a pilot speed-camera program in Los Angeles, Long Beach, Glendale, Oakland, San Francisco, and San Jose. The program aims to reduce speeding and improve traffic safety in high-accident corridors, school zones, and areas frequented by street racers. The cameras will photograph speeding vehicles and generate tickets that will be mailed to offenders. The legislation includes a warning for the first offense, fines starting at $50 for subsequent offenses, an appeals process, and options for low-income offenders to have fines waived or reduced. The move comes in response to the high number of traffic fatalities in California, with speed being a major factor in accidents.
At least 24 people have been killed and several injured after a bus in Peru veered off a mountainous road and plunged down a slope. The crash is the latest in a series of deadly incidents on Peru's roadways, which have seen an increase in traffic-related fatalities. The bus had the proper authorization and had passed vehicle inspection, according to preliminary investigations. Peru's transportation authority, SUTRAN, has pledged to investigate the incident. Traffic accidents have been on the rise in Peru, raising concerns about road safety and the training of bus drivers navigating the challenging mountain roads.