Culver City Car Accidents Reduced Through Increased Photo Enforcement Techniques

Culver City in Los Angeles County, California, has recently seen a building boom in its downtown area. The resulting traffic congestion coupled with a growing population of nearly 41,000 has caused Culver City car accident lawyers to acknowledge that car collisions are becoming a fact of life in the city.

Car Collision Statistics Tell the Story

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, from 2001 to 2003, Culver City suffered eight fatal car collisions. This averages out to 2.1 fatal Culver City car crashes per 10,000 people. Although this figure is below the national average, it is still cause for concern.

The California Highway Patrol's Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) revealed that in 2006, four people were killed and 313 people were injured in Culver City car crashes. Pedestrian accidents injured 28 and motorcycle accidents injured 34. One bicyclist perished and 17 were injured. Drunk drivers killed three and injured 23. In 2007, four car accidents resulted in four deaths.

Citywide Photo Enforcement Underscores Car Crash Reduction Efforts

To help reduce car collisions at intersections, Culver City instituted a Red-Light Photo Enforcement Program. Cameras were set up citywide at many accident-prone locations. These include Jefferson and Cota, Jefferson and DuQuesne, Jefferson and Overland, Jefferson Blvd and Higuera Street, La Cienega and Washington, National and Sepulveda, Sepulveda and Green Valley, Sepulveda and Machado, Sepulveda Blvd and West Slauson Avenue, Slauson and Buckingham, Slauson and Sepulveda, Washington and Beethoven, Washington and Sawtelle, National Blvd. and Hayden Avenue, Sepulveda and Centinela, Washington Blvd and Helms Street, and Centinela and Washington Place.

To prevent more car accidents, Culver City created a DUI Enforcement and Awareness Program. The program's goal is to remove drunk drivers from city roads and to remind motorists of the dangers of driving while intoxicated. One eye-opening statistic was the report by the California Insurance Commissioner that the number of women motorists between the age of 21 and 24 involved in drunk driving car accidents increased by 116 percent.

Car Accident Attorneys Back City's Efforts

Culver City car accident attorneys have noted that the city's anti-DUI efforts combined with correctly administered red-light photo enforcement techniques can help bring down the car accident rate. Moreover, red-light cameras not only nab red-light scofflaws but serve to alter their behavior, since violators think twice about beating the light when they realize fines can be $360 or higher. Preventing cars from crashing and keeping city streets safe is the primary goal of these and similar efforts.

Be on the Hit-and-Run Lookout

BISNAR | CHASE, in conjunction with WeTip, a leading anonymous crime reporting service and law enforcement advocacy non-profit organization, is launching a program intended to wipe out hit-and-runs in the state of California by offering rewards for tips leading to the arrest and felony conviction of hit-and-run drivers. See Hit-and-Run Reward for more details.

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.