Los Alamitos Car Accidents Above National Average
As most Los Alamitos car accident lawyers will acknowledge, Los Alamitos is a smaller Orange County city with just over 12,000 people, yet it suffers from a disproportionate number of car accidents. Next to the 605 and 405 Freeways, the city often finds itself strangled by commuter rush-hour traffic and students hurrying to school.
Los Alamitos Car Accident Statistics Leave Room For Improvement
Between 2001 and 2003, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that Los Alamitos had five fatal motor vehicle accidents. This calculates out to 4.3 fatal crashes per 10,000 people, which was slightly higher than the national norm.
Stepping ahead to 2006, the California Highway Patrol's Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) revealed that one person died and 102 were injured in Los Alamitos car collisions. DUI motorists were responsible for six car crash injuries. What's more, four pedestrians, four bicyclists and seven motorcyclists were injured in car accidents. Los Alamitos car collision lawyers have argued that these collision numbers could be lower.
Red-Light Cameras and DUI Checkpoints to Stem Car Crashes
To enhance traffic safety, Los Alamitos opted to implement photo enforcement technology at some of its accident-prone intersections. The city set up red-light cameras at Bloomfied Avenue and Katella Avenue, and at Los Alamitos Blvd and Katella Avenue. Red-light scofflaws caught in the act can expect pay a stiff $446 fine.
Complementing these traffic safety efforts are DUI checkpoints. One of these was set up at Katella and Los Alamitos on September 11th, 2006. Another successful tactic is the Roving DUI Saturation Patrol. Conducted throughout holiday weekends, these patrols are part of Orange County's "Avoid the 28" DUI Campaign. These efforts are in response to an Orange County Drinking Driver Program Survey, which listed Los Alamitos among the cities with the highest rates of drivers before they were arrested for a DUI. Car accident attorneys often advise their clients that getting a DUI is a serious offense with many long-term consequences.
Los Alamitos Car Collisions Prompt Use of Crossing Guards
Making sure children get to school safely is another top priority. Los Alamitos has assigned crossing guards at several high-hazard intersections. Regrettably, crossing guards and their directions are often ignored, placing children in serious danger. Police urge all motorists near schools that moving into an intersection once a crossing guard has stepped out into the crosswalk is a violation under California Vehicle Code (CVC) number 22101. Motorists who break this law can be ticketed and fined up to $350. Drivers should also realize that right turns are illegal as long as a crossing guard's sign is up.
(click on icons for more information)
SLS Consulting