Bee Staff
Slowing it down may be boring for motorists but the numbers say the action is saving lives and preventing injuries, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Speed-related collisions involving motorists in the state resulting in injury or death are on the decline after a $6 million, year-long project, according to a CHP news release.
Through September 2008, there were 255 deaths, compared to the 2006 baseline totals when there were 290 deaths, a 12.1 decrease, the release states. For speed-related injuries, there were 25,584 injuries in 2008 and 30,726 in 2006 baseline totals for a 16.7 decrease.
The CHP recently concluded the grant-funded project "Savings Lives in California II," which involved a three-prong strategy.
The first element was to reduce collisions on state highways - accomplished by using Light Detection and Ranging and added enforcement on the state highways.
The second element of the project was to reduce collisions on county roads, using radar trailers.
The third strategy was to reduce motorcycle collisions on all highways.
Officers also enforced seat belt and child safety seat laws. A large portion of the 20,000 citations that were issued during the project, were for lack of seat belt usage.
"The importance of this project cannot be understated," said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. "Collisions resulting in injury and death, where speed was the primary collision factor, are preventable."
The CHP also conducted traffic safety presentations, and promotional items regarding curbing speed were handed out to participants, the release states.
Funding for the project was provided by a $6.16 million grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the release states.
And it ain't over just because the federal money ran out. The CHP plans to continue using grant-funded projects to make California's highways safer for motorists, the release states.
About Comments
Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "report abuse" button below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.