A LOOK AT SPEED, AGGRESSION: VEHICLE ACCIDENTS IN CALIFORNIA
On behalf of Rooney Law Firm posted in Motorcycle Accidents on Wednesday, November 26, 2014.
When it comes to motor vehicle injuries, bike and motorcycle accidents can result in some of the worst. If the crash doesn’t result in a fatality, it is often likely that serious injuries requiring long-term medical care and rehabilitation – even permanent disability – change victims’ lives forever. When a car, truck or motorcycle accident is precipitated by an aggressive or speeding driver, the evidence of that may support any legal action to seek compensation from responsible parties.
The California Highway Patrol is implementing a year-long, federally funded program to increase traffic safety and thereby, lessen these types of accidents. It will focus on aggressive driving in particular, but speeding and other dangerous driving won’t be ignored. The California Office of Traffic Safety, through a grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, is providing the dollars.
It’s hoped that education of motorists and enforcement actions by CHP will reduce fatal and serious injury accidents caused by speed, driving on the wrong side of the road and improper turning. Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System data for 2011 to 2012 indicates speed was a factor in about 42 percent of all serious collisions in the state. More than 38,000 people were injured, and 264 people died that year.
Safety steps over the year will include about 400 radar trailers, public awareness campaigns and at least 300 traffic safety presentations across the state. Since aggressive driving and speed play such a prominent role in the suffering of thousands of Californians each year, focusing on ways to prevent road rage and require adherence to speed limits fits the mission of CHP.
Everyone likely applauds this effort and recognizes its potential value. One fact to keep in mind, however, is that the goal of the year-long program is only a 5 percent reduction in accidents. Saving even one life is excellent, of course. But from a Chico motorcyclist’s perspective, it might not be sufficient to make enough difference. If, in fact, it doesn’t, and an accident happens, the focus for that family will be reduced to recovery and accountability.
Source: CHP News, “CHP to Combat Aggressive Driving” Nov. 26, 2014
