Norwalk Car Accidents on the Rise

The city of Norwalk, California near Los Angeles is over 50 years old and has over 104,000 residents. Unfortunately, Norwalk car accidents are also on the rise. And like most cities, Norwalk wages an ongoing battle to reduce car accidents wherever and however it can.

Traffic Safety Program Successful in Curbing Car Accidents

More than ten years ago, data compiled by the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and the State Department of Finance noted that the City of Norwalk had too many alcohol-related car crashes, fatalities and injuries. To remove itself from this dubious distinction, Norwalk's Public Safety Department started a Traffic Safety Program that included:

Visible display speed detection trailer

Computer system & software programs for collision tracking

More than six DUI/safety checkpoints annually

DUI checkpoint signs, delineators, and high intensity halogen lamps

100 child safety seats

Point-of-sale alcohol information (in English & Spanish) placed at more than 85 percent of off-site alcohol sales locations

More than 500 "Caught in the Act" rewards were handed to motorists observed complying with all the laws at the DUI/safety checkpoints

The program was successful and improved safety in a number of areas:

25 percent increase in DUI arrests from 1995 to 1998

30 percent reduction in alcohol-related car crashes from 1995 to 1998

25 percent increase in the child safety seat use from 1996 through 1998

"As Norwalk demonstrated, these types of programs can help reduce a city's car accident rate," said Norwalk car accident lawyer John Bisnar. "Dispensing good-driver rewards with DUI checkpoints is a 'carrot and stick' approach that can produce positive results."

Fatal Car Accidents Still a Challenge

Despite these programs, Norwalk was still plagued with car accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 16 fatal car accidents occurred between 2001 and 2003. Three years later, the California Highway Patrol's Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) reported five fatalities and 559 injuries due to car accidents. Alcohol-related car accidents killed three and injured 41. Motorcycle accidents resulted in 14 injuries. One pedestrian was killed and 31 were injured in car accidents. Then in 2007, five people died in city car accidents.

Set on bringing down its car accident rate, Norwalk implemented "Slow Down Days" in the summer of 2008. Armed with the knowledge that speeding is a major cause in up to one third of all fatal car collisions, Norwalk adopted a zero-tolerance enforcement policy. Motorists were asked to be increasingly aware of their speed as children flooded out of school for summer vacation. Radar-equipped police cars were deployed throughout the city to heighten motorists' awareness of speed. Citywide, the push was on to reduce speeding and enforce red-light, stop-sign and cell-phone violations. In June, a DUI/Sobriety checkpoint was set up on West Avenue near Reed Street to get drunks and unlicensed drivers off Norwalk streets. Conducted on a regular basis, Norwalk's DUI checkpoints typically average about five DUI arrests and as many as 50 cars impounded. Other efforts to reduce Norwalk's car accidents are ongoing.

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.