Fullerton Car Accidents Linked to a Variety of Traffic Problems

With a proximity to colleges, Anaheim Stadium and Disneyland, and crisscrossed by three major freeways, Fullerton has become one of Orange County's busiest cities. Add a population of over 135,000 people with all its daily commuter traffic, and Fullerton car accidents are almost a certainty.

In one tragic Fullerton car accident, a 17-year-old driver was killed after he swerved to avoid another vehicle and struck a traffic light pole at East Chapman and North Berkley avenues. Another car crashes on the northbound 57 Freeway in Fullerton sent a Honda into a nosedive onto Bastanchury Road. Another mishap had a Cadillac plowing through a restaurant's front window on Harbor Boulevard, sending a waitress and three customers to the hospital.

"Our addiction to cell phones, in-car snacking and other distractions is a recipe for disaster," said John Bisnar. "It's no wonder there are some many car accidents in and around Orange County, California."

Annual statistics show that Fullerton has had its share of car accident tragedies. Data from the California Highway Patrol's Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) revealed that in 2006, there were seven car accident fatalities in Fullerton and 760 accident-related injuries. DUI collisions were responsible for 3 deaths and 69 injuries. Motorcycle accidents took two lives and injured 38. One pedestrian was killed and 45 were injured in city traffic accidents.

Years ago, Fullerton police and traffic engineers decided to take proactive steps to stem its car accident rate. In 2003, they adopted a red-light enforcement program, setting up cameras at some of the city's more accident-prone intersections:

East-bound approach at Malvern Avenue and Gilbert Street

East- and west-bound at Orangethorpe Avenue and Harbor Blvd.

North and south at Harbor and Orangethorpe

North and south at Harbor and Chapman Ave.

North-bound approach at Magnolia Ave. and Orangethorpe

The cameras have been averaging approximately 90 citations per intersection each month.

Unlike some cities in Orange County, the traffic lights at Fullerton intersections do not have an "ALL-RED" time buffer that can keep impatient drivers from dangerous "jack-rabbit" starts. Residents feel that adopting an ALL-RED traffic light system would reduce the number of car accidents. During peak drive periods, Fullerton traffic swells up around its courthouse, airport, bus and train stations. Police have advised some drivers to adopt a three-second rule prior to entering an intersection that has just "turned green," that is, count to three, look both ways, then proceed to avoid any red-light runners.

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.