Personal InjuryTeens and Red-Light Runners to Blame, Says Santa Clarita Car Accident Lawyer
Teenage drivers and red-light scofflaws are responsible for many of the car accidents in Santa Clarita. California Interstate 5, a heavily trafficked north-south route running through the Santa Clarita Valley is also being blamed. In 2006, more than 40 percent of red-light runners were caught on red-light cameras gabbing on their cell phones. A full ten percent were caught eating, drinking coffee or reading. It's no wonder the city opted to install red-light cameras at eight of its intersections and 11 approaches.
"Eating and talking on hand-held cell phones can be a real distraction to driving," said John Bisnar. "People looking down to dial a number or balance a hot cup of coffee take a huge risk, especially when approaching an intersection."
Police and traffic control experts agree that in most cases, red-light cameras have become a deterrent to speeders and red-light violators. In a one-year study, from July 2004 to July 2005, collisions fell by 80 percent; injury collisions decreased by 20 percent, and traffic violations were down by 40 percent. Authorities say the cameras create behavioral changes in drivers, making them more aware of approaching intersections.
Overall accident stats round out the picture. As recently as 2006, there were five auto accident fatalities in Santa Clarita and 604 traffic accident injuries. One motorcyclist was killed and 90 were injured. Alcohol-related collisions caused the death of one driver and injured 48. In 2007, the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Department responded to over 2,200 traffic collisions.
Not surprisingly, teen drivers have also contributed to Santa Clarita's auto accident rate. While 16- to 18-year-olds make up only12 percent of the driving population, they are involved in 25 percent of all driving collisions.
"The major cause of death for teens aged 16 to 19 is traffic accidents," noted John Bisnar, an experienced car accident lawyer. "Up to 60 percent of teens killed while riding as passengers occur while another teen is driving. Sadly, nearly 100 local teens lost their lives in city traffic collisions--just in the past few years."
Santa Clarita is taking aggressive steps to reduce teen car accidents through a number of comprehensive community programs. Among these is The Sheriff's Teen Traffic Offender Program (STTOP). Launched in 2004, residents call a hotline to report the vehicle license number of any teen they see driving dangerously. Incoming reports to STTOP have numbered between 250 and 300 annually. All calls are followed up with intervention efforts by a city sheriff's deputy targeting the drivers and their parents. Another effort to bring down the teen accident rate is the Every 15 Minutes Program. National statistics reveal that someone dies in a traffic-related incident every 15 minutes. Using high school students to role-play victims and a drunk driver, the program graphically dramatizes that tragedy and aftermath of an alcohol-related car accident.
For more information, read "The Seven Fatal Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Personal Injury Claim" by California personal injury attorney John Bisnar. The book is free to accident victims--just go to www.BestAttorneyBooks.com to get a copy sent to you, or you can buy one at www.Amazon.com. Please see other BISNAR | CHASE California car accident lawyers.
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