Bakersfield Car Accidents Decline, But Highways 46 and 65 Still Among the Nation's Deadliest

As Bakersfield car accident lawyers know, in 2006, there were 3 car accident fatalities in Bakersfield and 1,256 car accident related injuries. So says California Highway Patrol's Statewide Traffic Reporting System. Alcohol accounted for 21 deaths and 134 injuries. Bakersfield roads and drivers also killed five motorcyclists and injured 66.

The good news is that in 2008, the total number of Bakersfield auto accidents dropped by 14 percent. Some people say the drop was due to higher gas prices and people simply drove less. Fewer trips meant fewer car accidents. Others attribute the decline to more aggressive law enforcement efforts, with tougher ticketing and penalties for speeders and drunk drivers. This might explain why drunk-driving car accidents also fell by 13 percent, according to the CHP.

Sadly, two of Bakersfield's notoriously dangerous roads--Highways 46 and 65--are still among the most deadly in the nation, according to a Fox News report. Highway 46 is a main artery to the coast from Bakersfield. Known by residents as "Blood Alley," the narrow two-lane highway has been the site of numerous car crashes and deaths. One problem is that semi-truck and vacation traffic both compete for space on this highway and plans to widen it have been slow. Another problem is that Highway 46 is particularly unforgiving to heavy and high-speed traffic. There are no passing lanes, no shoulders, and the paving is poor in some sections. Although the posted speed limit is 55 mph, many drivers routinely ignore it. They also ignore the double-yellow lines that mean no passing. The results are often fatal.

Sharing Highway 46's dubious distinction is State Highway 65 between Porterville and Bakersfield. Heavy truck traffic cuts down on visibility and reckless drivers often cross the centerline to pass, risking their lives and many others in the maneuver.

"When two cars hit each other at highway speeds, the result is often catastrophic," said John Bisnar. "Adding turnouts for drivers who want to pass slow-moving cars may cut down on the number of deadly collisions on these roads."

Associated with these auto accidents are the huge costs they exact on lives of everyone they touch. A 2008 AAA report entitled "Crashes: What's the Cost to Society?" showed that in many areas of the country, the cost of car collisions if far greater the cost of traffic congestion. Car collision costs take into account such expenses as medical/emergency/police services, lost productivity, property damage, and reduced quality of life. For Bakersfield, the estimated cost of congestion is $66 million. The city's crash costs, on the other hand, are 15 times as high--over $1 billion.

"The cost of an auto accident fans out in many directions and can be huge," noted John Bisnar. "All the more reason to convince drivers to slow down on these narrow highways, observe posted speed limits and drive responsibly."

BISNAR | CHASE 2006-2010 Super Lawyers names outstanding lawyers from more than 60 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. BISNAR | CHASE has received this award for five consecutive years. Brian Chase was named one of the 2010 Top 50 Orange County Lawyers.