Your Monthly Update

January/February 2025

New OTS Director Sworn In

Stephanie Dougherty was officially sworn in last month as the new Director for the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS). Appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom in December 2024, Dougherty will also serve as the Governor’s Representative for Highway Safety at the federal level.

“I am honored to lead the Office of Traffic Safety and work alongside a team of dedicated professionals and with our partners to advance our urgent mission of saving lives,” said OTS Director Stephanie Dougherty. “Together, we will focus on innovative solutions, community engagement, and education to promote a strong safety culture and make our roadways safer for all Californians.”

Dougherty most recently served as Deputy Secretary of Transportation Safety and Enforcement at the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) since 2016.

The OTS Releases 2025-2027 Strategic Plan

The OTS is excited to announce the release of our 2025-2027 Strategic Plan, which lays out priorities and everyday actions our department will take over the next three years to make California roads safe for everyone.

The OTS sought input from the public and a variety of organizations and partners in the development of the Strategic Plan. The continued partnership, collaboration and support will advance our strategic goals and chart a path toward a future where zero people are killed and seriously injured on California roads.

Traffic Fatalities in California Decrease 7.5% in 2024 Amid Nationwide Decline

California recorded a significant 7.5% decline in traffic fatalities during the first nine months of 2024, with an estimated 2,824 deaths compared to 3,052 during the same period in 2023. This improvement follows a national trend reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which estimates a 4.4% decrease in U.S. traffic fatalities, down to 29,135 from 30,490 in 2023.

The decline marks the 10th consecutive quarter of reduced traffic fatalities, even as preliminary data from the Federal Highway Administration show a 0.8% increase in vehicle miles traveled, totaling 19.7 billion more miles driven.

California is one of 35 states with estimated declines in traffic deaths.

New Laws in 2025 for Safer Roads

The Governor’s Office announced a new set of laws taking effect this year to improve transportation for all Californians:

• Cracking down on sideshows: A package of new laws expands law enforcement’s ability to impound vehicles, impose stricter penalties, and target reckless driving activities on highways and parking lots.
• Stopping license plate obstruction: AB 2111 prohibits a person from altering their license plate’s reflective coating to evade electronic capture of the license plate for any reason. The new law seeks to improve the enforcement of traffic violations that can be detected by cameras.
• Speed safety in Malibu: Along the Pacific Coast Highway earlier this year, Governor Newsom signed SB 1297, which allows Malibu to install up to five automated speed enforcement cameras to reduce speeding, particularly in high-risk areas like school zones. The pilot program focuses on promoting traffic safety by automatically detecting vehicles exceeding speed limits and issuing fines.
• Safer, more inclusive street design: SB 960 requires Caltrans to incorporate complete streets elements, such as bike lanes, sidewalks, and transit facilities, into its planning and projects. These projects will improve road safety and support the state’s climate and mobility goals.

WATCH: CalSTA Highlights 2024 Accomplishments

The California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) released its 2024 Accomplishments Report. The video accompanying the report is available to watch on YouTube and highlights the work of CalSTA’s eight departments, boards and commissions put forth in 2024.

USDOT Accomplishments Overview - January 2021-January 2025

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) highlighted their work over the past four years enhancing safety for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians in more than 1,600 communities across all 50 states. The efforts are part of the National Roadway Safety Strategy (NRSS), launched in January 2022, which focuses on addressing road design and reversing prior spikes in people killed and seriously injured on our nation’s roads. The implementation of the NRSS has culminated in steady declines in traffic fatalities over the past two and a half years.

Among the USDOT accomplishments highlighted include accelerating the deployment of new safety technology such as seat belt use warnings for rear seats and alcohol-impaired driving prevention technology in new passenger vehicles; and actions on vehicle safety and reducing wildlife-vehicle crashes.

2025 Lifesavers Conference on Roadway Safety Comes to California

Registration is open for the 2025 Lifesavers Conference. The annual global gathering of traffic safety leaders is coming to California and will be held in Long Beach March 9-11. The conference will feature 70 workshops, plenary sessions, and exhibits focused on reducing traffic fatalities. The conference provides a platform for professionals to exchange ideas, explore best practices, and learn about innovative road safety strategies.

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The OTS delivers traffic safety grants to prevent people from being killed and injured on California roads. The OTS is a department under the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA).

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