Valencia Car Accidents Can Be Curtailed Through Photo Enforcement and DUI Checkpoints

Valencia car accident attorneys know that car collisions can occur even in an affluent master-planned enclave like Valencia. Situated in the northwest section of Santa Clarita Valley, California, the community is home to Six Flags Magic Mountain theme park and adjacent to Interstate 5, a major freeway that creates major traffic during the holidays.

Car Accident Statistics Convey the Tragedies

Although the California Highway Patrol's Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) indicated no specific car crash statistics for Valencia, there were statistics for Santa Clarita. In 2006, five people lost their lives and 630 people were injured in car crashes. DUI car accidents resulted in one death and 55 injuries. Car crashes also injured 25 bicyclists and 36 pedestrians. Motorcycle collisions caused two fatalities and injured 45. Valencia car accident lawyers will tell you, that Valencia has been on a mission to reduce car accidents.

Car Crashes Can Be Reduced with Red-Light Cameras

With traffic safety as one of its major goals, Valencia created a photo enforcement program to reduce car collisions. The community set up red-light cameras at key, accident-prone intersections. These included Magic Mountain Parkway and Mc Bean Parkway, Mc Bean Parkway and Newhall Ranch Road, Valencia and McBean Parkway, and Lyons and McBean Parkway. Fines for red-light scofflaws are fairly hefty--$446.

Car Collisions Go Down When DUI Checkpoints Go Up

In addition, the community often works with Santa Clarita to set up DUI and Driver's License Checkpoints at various intersections and streets where car accidents have occurred. In May 2009, the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station conducted a checkpoint at Lyons Avenue near Avenida Dorena. Deputies stopped 1,119 cars and 12 drivers were pulled over and questioned. Five people were placed under arrest for DUI violations and one person was taken into custody for DUI and controlled substance possession.

DUI checkpoints offer several safety benefits. Impaired drivers are promptly "removed from circulation" and usually arrested and booked. Sobriety checkpoints also provide an educational benefit in that they make the general public aware of the risks and dangers of driving while intoxicated. Finally, they save lives by making partygoers plan ahead and designate a driver who has abstained from drinking and can drive them home. Experienced Valencia car collision lawyers know the value of these and other pro-active efforts in saving lives.

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.