Part of the Gateway Cities region of southeastern Los Angeles County, South Gate has a total population of nearly 103,000. Rush-hour commuters often create traffic problems with their inattentive, sometimes reckless driving. South Gate car accident attorneys will confirm that some motorists will run red lights when they're later for work or school, and sadly, many will insist on driving while intoxicated during the weekends.
Car accident statistics from 2001 to 2003 indicate that South Gate experienced a total of 16 fatal car collisions, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This works out to 1.7 fatal South Gate car crashes per 10,000 people. While these numbers are below the national average, efforts should be made to reduce accidents wherever possible.
According to the California Highway Patrol's Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), in 2006, seven people lost their lives and 340 people were personally injured in South Gate car crashes. Three pedestrians were killed and 44 were injured in motor vehicle mishaps. And bicycle accidents killed one and injured 25. In addition, motorcycle accidents injured seven people. Those who insisted on drinking and driving caused one death and 35 injuries. During the following year, seven car accidents resulted in eight fatalities.
A growing chorus of South Gate car collision lawyers have noted that red-light cameras have helped bring down car accident statistics at dangerous intersections. The reasoning is that red-light scofflaws often think twice about "beating the red" when they see "photo enforced" on a light. Many systems combine motion video and still photos to prove that a violation occurred, not to mention that the fines for running a red light are fairly substantial.
Red-light cameras have established a track record of success in many major cities throughout the country.
Another pro-active measure adopted by South Gate was the use of sobriety checkpoints. Once checkpoint was conducted at 11 p.m. on December 14th, 2007 on Firestone Blvd. DUI checkpoints help remove dangerously impaired drivers off city streets and prevent many car accident deaths and injuries. These checkpoints also help keep unsafe vehicles and unlicensed drivers off the road.
Pro-active efforts like these are why DUI fatalities were down countrywide during the 2008 holiday season compared to the same period in 2007.
South Gate Car Accidents Prompt Pro-Active Traffic Safety Measures