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Behind a beautiful art installation in Los Angeles lies a tragic message: too many road users are killed in Los Angeles every day. Negligent drivers must face the consequences for the losses they cause. Negligent construction companies and government agencies must be held accountable for allowing dangerous conditions to remain on our roadways. Seeking accountability can help deter unsafe conduct and may contribute to safer roads for everyone. At Arash Law, we advocate for the rights of car accident victims and help them pursue fair compensation for their injuries. Not only do we task ourselves with upholding your legal right to seek just recompense, but we also contribute to promoting road safety awareness. The recent street art project installed across Los Angeles had the same goal.
The Art Project That Memorialized Those Killed On The Streets Of Los Angeles
LAist reports on the installation of “rainbow halos” throughout the greater Los Angeles area. These are multicolored discs mounted in a way that allows the sun to shine through them, reflecting a rainbow on the road below. These are placed at intersections where road users have been killed. In Sherman Oaks, for example, a halo was mounted at the intersection of Woodman Avenue and Addison Street to remember a sixteen-year-old jogger who was struck and killed there. The victim was a cross-country runner at Notre Dame High School. His promising future was cut short when he was struck and killed on a run.
While beautiful, these art pieces have a tragic message: someone lost their life at that spot. These accidents are caused by driver negligence, poor road maintenance, and insufficient roadway infrastructure. Mayor Garcetti has launched an ambitious campaign to address these problems through Vision Zero, which aims to eliminate road deaths in Los Angeles by 2025. However, this begs the question: has his campaign been successful?
The Results Of Project Vision Zero
Vision Zero is a roadway safety improvement program that has been implemented worldwide. London, New York City, and Portland are just some of the cities that have already started Vision Zero programs, with varying degrees of success. Each town faces its own unique challenges. In the more compact cities of New York and London, for example, urban traffic is denser. The needs in these areas are different than those in Los Angeles, where traffic is also heavy but spread out over a greater area. In all cases, Vision Zero examines changes that can make roads safer for drivers, bike riders, and pedestrians.
However, has Vision Zero been successful in Los Angeles? When the program began in 2015, Mayor Garcetti set ambitious benchmarks, starting with a 20 percent reduction in road fatalities by 2017. LAist reports that traffic fatalities have increased since Vision Zero began in 2015. Pedestrian accident deaths were particularly high, with 303 people dying in traffic fatalities in 2024 compared to around 240 in 2015.
Despite this, Mayor Garcetti pushed ahead. He proposed a massive budget increase to expand the reach of Vision Zero projects. Funding for the program remained a priority and saw only minor reductions, despite the coronavirus pandemic forcing budget cuts and staffing furloughs across the city.
Those who support Vision Zero note that many of its changes were not acted on until 2017, so the early numbers are misleading. Opponents see it as a waste of money. They also dislike the effects of infrastructure changes. “Road diets,” in which lanes of traffic are turned into dedicated bike lanes, have proven especially unpopular. Roadways become even more congested in these areas. Ironically, some critics claim these changes have caused some impatient drivers to drive more recklessly on these roads. Some city council members no longer support infrastructure changes in their districts. Vision Zero is likely to cause even more tension as more money is spent.
Looking Forward To A Safer Future
So what can Angelenos do to promote safety on the roadways? It starts with accountability. Drivers, pedestrians, motorcycle riders, bicyclists, and all other road users must do their part to promote safety on the roadways. Drivers must avoid impaired driving, distracted driving, and other negligent behaviors on the road. While “lane splitting” is not illegal here in California, it can be highly dangerous. Motorcycle riders should follow the DMV’s general lane splitting guidelines to be sure they do so as safely as possible.
Bike riders and pedestrians must also take care to be visible to others. Because they have a smaller profile and are lower to the ground than vehicles, it can be difficult for drivers to see them. Consider wearing light-colored clothing when walking or riding your bike to enhance your visibility. If you are biking, use reflective tape, your bell, or a headlight to make your presence known. Use eye contact and hand signals to let other drivers know where you intend to travel. Furthermore, always be prepared to stop quickly. In case another driver does not yield the right of way (even when it is yours), prepare to get out of the way if they make this mistake.
People may be held responsible for the accidents they cause. Filing an insurance claim provides a consequence for the choice to drive negligently. Suing a negligent construction company for poor road work also seeks to hold that group accountable for its role in causing road accidents. These personal injury claims not only help protect a victim’s right to seek compensation for the injuries and losses they suffer but may also help deter future negligent behavior. Pursuing legal claims can be one factor in promoting safer roads.
Experienced Accident Lawyers For Los Angeles Injury Victims
Many Los Angelenos have suffered serious injury and death in car accidents. It is advisable for injury victims and their families to seek accountability from negligent drivers for their actions. They may also seek to hold negligent construction companies and city agencies responsible for road conditions that endanger the public. Call (888) 488-1391 to schedule your free initial consultation with an experienced California injury lawyer at Arash Law.
Our pedestrian and bike accident lawyers in Los Angeles have years of experience in personal injury law. We can support clients throughout California, including those in San Francisco, Riverside, San Jose, San Diego, Sacramento, and Sherman Oaks. We are prepared to advocate for the rights of injury victims and their families. Our law firm also has car accident lawyers who can guide you through your options. Additionally, we have skilled attorneys for truck crashes, motorcycle accidents, dog bite claims, slip and fall incidents, and other personal injury cases.
Credit Image: Rainbow Halos by LADOT
