El Cajon Car Accidents Call for More Red-Light Cameras and DUI Checkpoints

El Cajon car accident lawyers will tell you that with a population of nearly 98,000 and the city's long, straight roads, you should drive defensively and obey all traffic laws if you want to avoid a car collision. Nestled in a valley and nicknamed the Big Box, El Cajon in San Diego County, California has taken a number of steps to reduce car accidents.

El Cajon Car Accidents Show Rise in Fatalities

An examination of earlier statistics from 2001 to 2003 revealed that El Cajon suffered 32 fatal car collisions, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This equals about 3.4 fatal car collisions per 10,000 people, a number that's lower than the national average.

El Cajon car collision lawyers frequently refer to the California Highway Patrol's Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). In 2006, three people died and 583 sustained injuries in El Cajon car crashes. A total of 45 pedestrians and 34 bicyclists were injured in car collisions. Motorcycle accidents resulted in one fatality and 29 injuries. Furthermore, car accidents caused by impaired drivers resulted in one fatality and 68 injuries. In 2007, seven car accidents resulted in as many fatalities.

Red-Light Cameras to Reduce Car Crashes in El Cajon

With a strong emphasis on reducing accidents, El Cajon implemented high-tech photo enforcement systems throughout the city. Red-light cameras were set up at its most accident-prone intersections. Among these were Broadway and Mollison, Fletcher Parkway and Magnolia, Fletcher Parkway and Marshall Avenue, Fletcher Parkway and Navajo Road, Madison and Magnolia, Main Street and Mollison Avenue, Washington Avenue and Mollison Avenue and Washington Avenue and El Cajon Blvd.

El Cajon car crash lawyers advise motorists that El Cajon's red-light cameras obtain two kinds of evidence. The most basic is a series of still shots showing a vehicle's license plates and its occupants. Also provided is a 12-second video that shows the vehicle 6 seconds before and 6 seconds after the violation.

Car Collisions in El Cajon Prompt use of DUI Checkpoints

In addition to red-light photo enforcement, El Cajon also conducts DUI checkpoints. The El Cajon Police Department set up a Sobriety Checkpoint on May 5, 2009 from approximately 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. the following morning. During a DUI checkpoint, drivers are directed to a safe area and asked to show their driver's license. They are also asked if they have been drinking that evening. Those suspected of a DUI are directed to a testing area. If they fail the sobriety test, they are asked to surrender their license and their car for impound. A temporary "Admin Per Se" driving form is then issued to the driver, which permit driving and appeal rights for 30 days. After that, the license is automatically suspended. Most any El Cajon car crash lawyer will urge you to avoid a DUI and never get behind the wheel if you are impaired by drugs or alcohol.

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.