Your Monthly Update
November 2020
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U.S. Traffic Deaths Fall for Third Straight Year,
Fatality Rate Increases
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Traffic deaths fell for the third consecutive year in 2019, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported.
The downward trend is continuing into 2020 with fewer people driving due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with estimates showing a 2% decline over the first six months of this year compared to the same period last year.
Traffic deaths declined 2% last year, to 36,096, according to the NHTSA. That is 739 fewer than the 36,385 reported in 2018, despite an increase in vehicle miles traveled.
Bicyclist and Pedestrian deaths fell by nearly 3%, but the fatality rate increased to 1.25 per 100 million vehicle miles traveled.
While the OTS is encouraged by the declines in fatalities, the upward trend of the fatality rate continues to be a concern.
“With less traffic on the roads, we immediately saw changes in driver behavior with more drivers speeding, some at excessive and extremely dangerous speeds,” OTS Director Barbara Rooney said. “This trend is alarming, and now more than ever, we should be focused on protecting lives. Practicing safe driving and following speed limits is a simple way of keeping ourselves and others safe.”
A report by the NHTSA addresses this change in behaviors on the road during the COVID-19 pandemic and safer-at-home orders.
The report found drivers took more risks speeding, not wearing seat belts and driving impaired.
Average speeds went way up, with the California Highway Patrol issuing nearly 2,500 citations for speeding more than 100 miles per hour from March 19 to April 19, an 87% increase from 2019.
A study of people injured or killed in crashes who were treated at five large trauma centers from mid-March to mid-July found almost two-thirds of drivers tested positive for at least one drug, including marijuana, alcohol or opioids. Marijuana use was up 50%.
The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) said a contributing factor to these behavior changes could be from officers limiting traffic stops during the height of the pandemic.
“This may have led some motorists to believe they could get away with dangerous and aggressive driving, despite the threat to themselves and everyone on the road,” the association said in a statement.
NHTSA held a series of workshops with state and local officials to address the safety concerns. Titled Recent Trends in Risky Driving, the latest workshop was held Oct. 22 with Western states in NHTSA's Region 9. OTS Director Barbara Rooney participated as a panel speaker, highlighting how 2020 impacted the OTS work and what has been done to incorporate adaptable planning and program changes during COVID-19.
Other panelists included traffic safety officials with the Arizona Department of Public Safety, Nevada Department of Public Safety and Office of Highway Safety, as well as the Idaho Transportation Department.
"COVID-19, wildfires, the black lives matter movement and police reform: we’ve been through a lot the past year and it is shaping how we implement and evaluate our current programs," OTS Director Barbara Rooney said. "These issues are not going away with a new year...The reality is these challenges and changes will be with us for the long haul."
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The OTS to Launch Campaign On the Dangers of Speeding |
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The OTS is rolling out a campaign this month educating drivers on the dangers of speeding.
The new "Slow the Fast Down" statewide initiative will run Nov. 16-29 on a variety of digital platforms, including social media, broadcast, radio, billboards, and streaming services, including EA Sports and Twitch, a streaming service for video game players.
"Speeding is often a forgotten traffic safety issue that has been amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic," OTS Director Barbara Rooney. "We want to shift social norms for speeding and encourage people to slow down on the road."
The education campaign will feature short video PSAs encouraging drivers to follow the speed limit, as well as messages on social media.
Excessive speeding spiked during the start of safer-at-home orders in March. Between March 19 and April 30, CHP officers issued 4,000 citations for speeding in excess of 100 miles per hour, which is more than double (113%) from last year despite a 35% decline in traffic volume.
Speeding remains one of the major factors in crashes: in federal fiscal year 2017-18, speed was a factor in approximately 31% of all fatal and injury crashes in California.
"Less traffic is not an invitation to speed," Rooney said. "If we all drive at a safe, legal speed, we are able to keep ourselves and those around us safe."
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Speeding Survey Reveals Opinions and Perceptions About Driver Behaviors |
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While many drivers agree that everyone should obey speed limits because it is the law, nearly 40% reported driving 15 miles an hour over the speed limit on the freeway, a new California State University, Fresno and the OTS survey of California drivers found.
When traffic volumes started dropping in March, law enforcement agencies started seeing a rise in excess speeding, bringing the issue to the forefront of traffic safety. Through the month of May, more than 6,000 citations were issued by the CHP for drivers going over 100 miles per hour.
"This survey shows how widely accepted speeding is on freeways, which is really concerning," OTS Director Barbara Rooney said. "It shows that individual behavior change is needed to shift perceptions and encourage everyone to slow down."
The survey found that people speed for different reasons, with the most common because they are running late (55%), followed by safe road conditions (35%) and impatience (29%).
One of the most significant findings was that drivers were less likely to speed with a passenger in the car, with 98% of drivers indicating they drive at the same speed or slower than other cars on the road when they are not driving alone.
Other key findings included:
- 86% of respondents "Never" or "Rarely" drive 15 miles an hour over the speed limit on (most) neighborhood or residential streets.
- 86% of drivers reported changing their driving behavior after receiving a warning or ticket for speeding.
- 49% of respondents believe it is acceptable to speed as long as it is not more than 10 mph over the speed limit.
- 78% of respondents believe is is unacceptable to drive 20 mph or more over the speed limit.
- 17% of respondents believe driving over the speed limit is not dangerous for skilled drivers.
- The top four measures that would be useful in deterring speeders were: road design changes (74%), increased use of speed cameras (73%), increased public awareness of risks of speeding (67%) and having more visible speed patrols (62%).
The study also asked drivers questions about distracted driving and other risky behaviors, such as not wearing a seat belt and driving impaired.
Nearly 95% reported wearing a seat belt all of the time. 20% of drivers responded that they read or send text messages/emails some, most or all the time.
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Work Zone Crashes Increase Despite Drop in Vehicle Traffic |
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Work zone crashes and fatalities have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite a decrease in traffic.
With less cars on the road, highway workers are taking advantage by patching potholes, striping roads, tree-trimming or clearing debris as drivers zoom by work zones.
"Speeding has always been a problem, but it's front and center during COVID-19," OTS Director Barbara Rooney said. "Highway workers are more at risk with drivers going way too fast in work zones."
Travel dropped 40% in April and 26% in May compared to the same time last year, according to the Federal Highway Administration.
But fatal crashes are up in some states, and work zone crews are reporting more people speeding and driving distracted.
A total of 18 people were killed in work zone crashes in Missouri last year, but 23 have died in just the first nine months of this year, despite the reduced traffic, PEW Charitable Trusts reported.
Last month, a Caltrans subcontractor was struck and killed on the 110 Freeway in downtown Los Angeles. The worker was on the road setting up to close a lane when he was struck by a car, the CHP reported.
"Our heartfelt condolences go out to this subcontractor's family," Caltrans said in a post on Twitter. "Please remember to move over and slow down when you see emergency vehicles."
California law requires drivers to slow down and move over a lane, if safe to do so, for maintenance and emergency vehicles, including Caltrans vehicles.
Almost all states have "move over" laws that require drivers to slow down or switch lanes if possible when passing emergency vehicles.
In 2018, there were 672 fatal crashes in work zones and 755 deaths across the country.
Work zones often have construction vehicles coming and going, narrow lanes, concrete barriers, and many times, traffic cones as the only barrier between workers and traffic.
The OTS has provided funding over the years for "Be Work Zone Alert" and "Move Over" statewide highway work zone public education campaigns. The campaigns featured the children of Caltrans workers, encouraging drivers to think of workers' families when they see them along highways.
"Speeding is always risky, but especially in work zones," Rooney said. "The message is simple: if you see workers, slow down and move over."
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No More Rush Hour? Report Finds Shifting Travel Patterns |
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The COVID-19 pandemic has shifted travel patterns, with less people driving during traditional "rush" hour, and more trips spread out during the day, a new report from StreetLight data found.
The San Francisco-based transportation data company looked at traffic patterns in five major metropolitan areas, including Los Angeles and San Francisco. The report reveals that by August, vehicle miles traveled in each metro area returned to previous highs before the COVID-19 related shutdowns.
What has changed, however, is that peak car travel is spread out from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., versus peaks in the morning and then building again when school or the work day is over.
In Los Angeles and San Francisco, the data revealed a "mini rush hour" around lunch, and more drivers on the East Coast driving during early afternoon and evening. The report attributes the new driving patterns to more people working remotely and schools conducting distance learning.
“Millions of commuters no longer head to a distant office in the morning, and they have new flexibility for mid-day grocery shopping and other in-person errands as more businesses gradually reopen their doors,” the report said.
The change in travel patterns shows the need for more data to better understand traffic safety needs.
"Faster, high-quality sources of data are critical," OTS Director Barbara Rooney said. "This shows where our road safety problems are and informs us on how to best address them."
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IIHS: Most E-scooter Rider Injuries Occur on Sidewalk |
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Nearly three out of five e-scooter riders were injured riding on the sidewalk, according to two new studies released by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) last month.
As transportation planners and traffic safety officials evaluate the safest place for scooters to ride, the studies by IIHS show the challenges posed by e-scooters and how they are impacting road safety.
“We didn’t see many e-scooter crashes with motor vehicles, and that may be a result of riders sticking mostly to the sidewalk,” says Jessica Cicchino, IIHS vice president for research and the lead author of the studies. “On the other hand, there are legitimate concerns that sidewalk riders could crash into pedestrians.”
California law bans e-scooter use on sidewalks, and many cities have even enacted ordinances prohibiting them from certain pedestrian areas, such as boardwalks.
IIHS researchers interviewed more than 100 e-scooter riders in Washington, D.C. who were injured and taken to the emergency room at one hospital between March and November 2019.
One study looked at the severity of injuries based on where and how they were injured. Another study compared rider usage patterns and injuries to those of bicyclists who were interviewed for an earlier study.
E-scooter riders were twice as likely as bicyclists to be injured from an obstruction like a pothole, crack in the pavement, signpost or curb. Bicyclists were three times as likely as scooter riders to be hit by a car. Only about 20% of e-scooter riders were injured riding in a bike lane, multi-use trail or other off-road location, the study found.
“The picture is still not clear when it comes to where scooters should be ridden,” says Cicchino. “Our results suggest that moving scooters off the sidewalk could put riders at risk of more severe injuries, but as things stand they might be suffering these lesser injuries more often.”
Though e-scooter programs came to a halt as the COVID-19 pandemic began, more and more commuters are looking for socially distanced alternatives to public transit like buses and trains, IIHS said. Shared e-scooters logged 86 million trips in the U.S. in 2019.
The IIHS study also found that bike lanes were rarely available in incidents where riders were injured on the road or sidewalk. A report by GHSA backs this infrastructure issue, also finding that while e-scooter riders prefer bike lanes, they are concerned about riding next to cars and are more likely to use the sidewalk when bike lanes are not available.
"Investments in infrastructure such as protected bike lanes provide benefits to all road users by providing safer travel spaces for bicyclists and e-scooter riders, reducing the potential for crashes with motor vehicles and pedestrians," GHSA said in a statement responding to the IIHS studies.
Only 2% of injured e-scooter riders reported wearing a helmet, compared with 66% of bicyclists. Helmets are not required in California for users who are 18 or older. Since most e-scooters are shared, using one is a spontaneous decision, which might explain the lack of helmet use.
Most notably, 40% of e-scooter injuries were by new riders, highlighting inexperience as an increased risk.
"Inexperience is always a risk whether on an e-scooter, driving or riding a bike," OTS Director Barbara Rooney said. "It is why studies like these are helpful to understanding the challenges posed by this new transportation mode. We will continue to take action to educate riders and those who interact with them."
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Click it or Ticket: Seat Belt Enforcement Mobilization |
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This year's Click it or Ticket seat belt enforcement campaign was postponed and moved to this month due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
From November 16-29, agencies across California and the nation will have additional officers on patrol looking for drivers and passengers who are not wearing a seat belt. Officers will also look for drivers who do not have children properly secured in child safety seats.
"Buckling up should be second nature by now, but there are still people who are not wearing seat belts," OTS Director Barbara Rooney said. "Every trip, every time. It's your best defense on the road."
Californians have come a long way since seat belts were first mandated in the 1980s. In 1985, the seat belt use rate was only about 20%. In 2019, it was 96%.
But a recent report by GHSA noted a drop in seat belt use by back seat passengers, with only 76% of rear seat passengers wearing seat belts.
In 2017, seat belts saved nearly 15,000 lives of people ages five and older.
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Bike, Walk Safely Photo Contest Deadline Extended |
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The OTS bike/walk safely photo contest deadline has been extended to Nov. 6. We are asking bike riders and those out for a walk to show us how they safely enjoy the outdoors for a chance to win a laptop!
The photo contest began Sept. 28, and all California residents 18 or older are eligible to participate.
A total of five winners will be selected and receive a laptop, provided courtesy of iHeart Media.
Entries will be judged based on proper use of safety equipment, clarity of pedestrian and/or bicycle safety methods, relevance of photos, as well as creativity, originality and artistic quality.
Entries will be accepted until Nov. 6, with winners announced later this month on the “Go Safely, California” website.
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OTS Employee Spotlight:
Richard Oguro
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Richard "Richie" Oguro is our new Information Technology Specialist. Richie has nearly a decade of experience in state service, and previously worked at the Department of Social Services performing system administration and development.
"I'm very excited to join the team and department," Oguro said. "...Just getting to know everyone, being that it's a smaller department."
Richie began his career as a Business Tax Representative at the California Board of Equalization working tax cases on planes, cars and boats, then worked at the DMV as a fiscal forecasting analyst before transitioning to information technology. He recently went back to community college to obtain IT certifications.
A Sacramento native, Richard is an avid Sacramento Kings and San Francisco Giants fan. Prior to COVID-19, he enjoyed attending games with his wife, Christine. They are expecting their first child next year.
But during COVID-19, Richard has picked up a new hobby: smoking meats. He just got a kamado style smoker and is barbecuing.
"I have been toying around with that lately," he said.
Oguro holds a degree in Managerical Economics from the University of California, Davis.
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This is a difficult time for all of us and we are in need of good news. Here is how our grantees are bringing care, joy and happiness to the communities they serve. |
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CHP Officer Gives Woman New Car Seat Instead of Citation |
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A CHP officer decided to help a young mom instead of citing her. While conducting a routine traffic stop, Officer Brian Diaz from the CHP's Victorville office provided a mom with a new car seat.
The stop was initiated for a cell phone violation, the CHP said in a Facebook post. When Officer Diaz approached the car, he noticed one of the mom's two young children in a child safety seat unrestrained. According to the CHP, the buckle was broken. The mom told the officer she couldn't afford a new car seat and had been living in motels while trying to get back on her feet.
Instead of ticketing the mom, Officer Diaz had a new car seat delivered and installed. The child safety seat given to the young mom was provided by a grant from the OTS!
Instead of a nearly $500 ticket, the young mom gets the help she needs to keep her child safe in the car. Well done Officer Diaz!
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LOOKING AHEAD
November 1-8: Distracted Driving Prevention Week
November 3: Election Day
November 16-29: "Not So Fast" Speeding Campaign
November 16-29: Click it or Ticket Seat Belt Enforcement
November 26: Thanksgiving
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The California OTS administers traffic safety grants that deliver innovative programs and strives to eliminate traffic fatalities and injuries on California roadways. The OTS is a department under the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA). |
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Contact the OTS Marketing & Public Affairs Team
916-509-3030
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Copyright © 2020
OTS Marketing and Public Affairs
All Rights Reserved
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