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The California Office of Traffic Safety periodically releases plans showing strategies for increasing public safety. The latest releases are for the years 2020-2023. It includes data indicating the steps taken and plans for the future. These actions are intended to get closer to the goal of zero traffic-related deaths. Another goal is to identify new traffic safety issues and find ways to fight them. OTS has taken a leadership role in keeping the roads safe for everyone. They work with over 300 state and local agencies to use federal grant funding to work towards their goals. Arash Law, founded by famous attorney Arash Khorsandi, Esq., stays informed on these reports as they impact our clients. The changes these agencies make, for better or worse, will affect traffic accidents. Our California car accident attorneys know how injuries and deaths affect victims and their families. The vision of the California State Transportation Agency is to transform residents’ lives. They will accomplish this mission through a safe, accessible, 21st-century, low-carbon transportation system. Their mission is to administer traffic safety grants in innovative programs effectively.
Program Idea
There are various considerations and causes of traffic collisions. These agencies have a passion for saving lives and keeping travelers safe. To understand how to change the laws and what programs to start, we must first understand how accidents happen. The strategic management plan covers many of these concerns. California is known as a hotbed for car accidents, especially near downtown.
Crashes can happen in seconds. Most collisions are preventable, with 94 percent due to human error. The following are some of the most common forms based on research and experience. Our award-winning car accident lawyers have seen many of these over and over.
Alcohol-Impaired Driving
Driving under the influence is one of the leading causes of car accidents. It is a significant threat to public safety. In 2018, 30 percent of fatal car accidents in California were attributed to drunk driving. The progress of OTS is establishing help with enforcement, education, and prevention of drunk driving. Through these programs, the public gets information on what they can do to avoid dangerous behavior. It educates people on how to deter people from driving impaired.
Grants push for authorities to stop and arrest drivers suspected of drinking and driving in California. If a driver chooses to get behind the wheel, enforcement is the next phase. Officers can conduct tests using equipment to detect alcohol. There are also treatment programs for high-risk DUI offenders. Since alcohol consumption can begin at a young age, there are youth education programs. These programs focus on high school and college students. It addresses the dangers and potential consequences of alcohol-impaired driving.
Drug-Impaired Driving
Another significant cause of car accidents is drug use. It is also a safety challenge. It is not as obvious or easily detectable as alcohol. Additionally, mixing drugs and alcohol is on the rise. Drug use is not exclusive to street drugs. It also includes over-the-counter medications, marijuana, and prescription drugs. All drugs impair drivers to some extent. The Governor’s Highway Safety Association found that 44 percent of fatal crashes were attributed to drugged drivers.
Many challenges arise with proving that the driver was drug-impaired. As California car accident lawyers, we agree that measures should be taken to address these issues. Some efforts are being made to educate and train officers on identifying drug impairment. They use programs like the Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) and Drug Recognition Evaluator (DRE). OTS has also implemented dedicated prosecution teams for these cases.
Drunk or drug-impaired driving is a criminal offense. While they happen in motor vehicles, they are complex charges. The penalties are steep and higher if there are injuries or deaths. Community outreach includes education campaigns. These programs aim to shift the social norms around drugged driving. They inform the public about the dangers of drugs.
Distracted Driving
The car accident lawyers from Arash Law, under the guidance of Arash Khorsandi, Esq., has seen many collisions caused by distracted driving. Distracted driving involves participating in actions that take a person’s eyes, hands, or mind off driving. While these actions do not involve consuming anything, it is just as dangerous as drugs or alcohol. Nationwide, 9 percent of fatal crashes involve distractions. In 2017, 3,166 people died in distracted driving accidents.
The main culprit of distractions is cell phones. Some actions involve emailing, social media use, taking pictures, talking, and using GPS. In California, the OTS found that 70 percent of Californians identify distractions as a significant roadway problem. While these drivers were interviewed for 2019, not much has changed in that opinion among Californians. Many California car accident lawyers are inclined to agree as well.
Measures to deter distracted driving include media education campaigns. These programs inform the public of the dangers of distracted driving. It also encourages drivers to travel free of distractions. Cell phone manufacturers are also taking steps by implementing do-not-disturb options that turn on automatically with the vehicle. These outreach programs heavily target teen drivers. There is also the California hands-free cell phone law.
Emergency Medical Services
After a collision, it is essential to get medical attention. Receiving medical attention is not a cause or prevention method but a reactive action. The faster victims can get treatment, the better. It can reduce deaths and injuries. Through grants, EMS will have upgraded extrication equipment. With The upgraded equipment, emergency responders can get occupants trapped in vehicles out faster.
Many agencies have older equipment needing replacement. Grants can also help upgrade the equipment. With outdated equipment, it is harder for medical personnel to reach occupants and administer aid. Medical treatment is vital after a car accident. Our car accident attorneys have seen many victims needing care, such as:
- Emergency transportation
- Hospitalization
- Doctor appointments
- Physical therapy
- Spinal injections
- Medical devices
- Surgery
- Caregiver services
The worse an injury is, the more medical attention the person needs. These treatments are expensive. The person responsible for the accident should pay for your medical bills. OTS does not address these concerns, but our California car crash lawyers can. We can file an insurance claim seeking compensation.
Motorcycle Safety
With the coast so close and the weather so lovely, people choose motorcycles as a form of transportation. Motorcycle accidents are often catastrophic. These accidents can have lifelong consequences. To reduce motorcycle crashes, the OTS provides hands-on motorcycle training to riders. Through these training programs, riders can hone their skills.
Additionally, motorcycle safety programs also help improve rider safety. The public also gets an education on how to interact with motorcyclists. OTS also encourages riders to wear protective gear. Enforcement efforts include looking for traffic violations like:
- Speeding
- Running red lights
- Failure to yield
- Improper turning
Lane splitting is legal in California and must be done safely. All drivers should stay alert for motorcyclists. Violations often happen because drivers do not see motorcycles. If a driver violates the law and causes a collision, they must be held liable. Our motorcycle accident lawyers can work to hold these parties responsible through a claim.
Occupant Protection
Passenger vehicles offer several safety features. The most well-known are seatbelts. California has a high rate of seatbelt use at 96.2 percent. However, child passenger safety is still a concern. Children must be restrained in child safety seats. Unfortunately, the NHTSA reports that 60 percent of car seats are used improperly. Improper car seat use increases the possibility that the child will suffer injuries in a collision.
Using grants, there are programs educating parents and guardians on child safety laws. Additionally, it addresses topics like using and installing the right car seat, safety seat check-ups, and more. They also provide child safety seats to families that cannot afford them, much of which is done through Child Passenger Safety Technician training and certification courses.
Authorities enforce seat belt laws. Education programs also focus on informing teen drivers about using seat belts. Having safe habits from the beginning can help in the long term. When teen drivers are accustomed to using their seat belts, they will do so almost every time they drive. They can also encourage other occupants to wear seatbelts. Newer vehicles have alerts that go off if anyone in the front is not wearing a seatbelt, which further encourages seatbelt use.
Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety
California is full of downtown areas, making it very walkable and bikeable. While that is great for our health and convenience, it is also dangerous. Pedestrian and bicycle safety are significant traffic safety issues. Sadly, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association, there was an increase from 2018 to 2019 of 12 percent in fatal pedestrian accidents. The government is taking steps to keep everyone safe. The OTS is funding programs that educate and promote safe behavior.
The target of these programs is all age groups. It raises awareness of pedestrian rights, traffic rules, and driver responsibility. Youth and older communities are highly susceptible to accidents, and additional focus is placed on them. Programs teach these groups safe bicycle and walking behaviors. Youth activities include bicycle training and walking courses. These activities encourage children to feel comfortable getting to and from school.
It also provides grants to 100 law enforcement agencies. They conduct educational programs and enforcement to deter unsafe roadway habits. They also promote safe roadway behavior. Enforcement involves additional officers on the road to address driver behaviors like:
- Distracted driving
- Seat belt use
- Impaired driving
- Speeding
They are looking for traffic violations that can increase the risk of crashes. Other efforts involve implementing DUI checkpoints. Pedestrians and bicycles deserve to use the road like everyone else. When a driver or someone else harms you, legal action is necessary. You must speak to a reputable and respected California pedestrian injury or bike accident attorney from Arash Law, operated by Arash Khorsandi, Esq.
Public Awareness and Education
Educating the public is the best way to prevent accidents, injuries, and deaths. OTS has monthly and year-round education campaigns to educate everyone traveling California roads. Education programs are the go-to resource for Californians. The goal is to educate the public on staying safe and prioritizing safety. Statewide campaigns also work with nationwide campaigns for maximum impact.
The one program you have likely seen is “Go Safely, California.” It is a statewide campaign that shows safety messages on TV, billboards, radio, social media, and streaming services. These efforts will reach the maximum number of Californians. The target audience is teens, young adults, and youth.
Roadway Safety
Keeping records of collisions and their causes can help prevent them in the future. OTS is focused on collecting, analyzing, and using traffic records to improve safety. They can identify crash trends and promote data sharing. It will also develop and analyze mapping systems to determine high-collision areas. They are also looking to streamline the traffic collision database system.
The OTS can produce hardware and software to accomplish these goals using grants. They will help improve data collection systems. They can also digitize physical reports and print collections. These systems can help interpret data. The data can then be used to find areas for improvement.
Goals
The California Office of Traffic Safety has several other goals split into various categories. Their primary goal is to keep the public safe. Our personal injury lawyers aim to help injury victims when someone’s negligence causes harm. We have decades of experience helping injury victims. If you suffer an injury, you need the team at Arash Law, managed by Arash Khorsandi, Esq.
Leadership
The OTS wants to be a recognized leader in advancing innovative traffic safety policies and countermeasures. OTS has been implementing the California Traffic Safety Program for 50 years. They are in a prime position to take a leadership role in California. They aim to bring together external partners, sister agencies, and federal partners. The goals are to:
- Increase outreach to grantees
- Increase collaboration and expand partnerships
- Leverage and expand traffic safety education
- Represent California on a state and national level
Service
Another goal involves providing skilled service to the public and traffic safety partners. They strive to achieve this goal through partnerships by providing accurate, timely, and professional services. OTS also wants to be trustworthy by relying on data to make crucial decisions. Action steps include:
- Improving business processes
- Increasing public outreach and awareness
- Getting data safety collection to make evidence-based decisions
Stewardship
Since OTS gets funding, they strive to provide stewardship of those funds. They use traffic safety grants transparently and responsibly. OTS keeps track by planning, forecasting, and researching where to allocate these funds. Action steps include improving program integrity and maximizing the available funding.
Workforce Development
Everyone in OTS must have the proper training to help promote traffic safety statewide. They encourage diversity in the organization and empower their employees. They also aim to encourage growth and development with experts. They also:
- Provide a culture of respect, collaboration, and open communication
- Encourage employee development
- Recruit candidates passionate about traffic safety
- Promote a positive work environment
Transportation Trends
Lastly, the Office of Transportation wants to address traffic safety implications. They use emerging transportation technology and trends to achieve this goal. Technology is advancing faster than ever, and OTS is looking at the needs of tomorrow. Some of the technology they are reviewing includes:
- Carpooling apps
- Bike and scooter sharing
- Changes in transportation behavior
As transportation changes continue, additional measures must be taken. OTS will take action to understand the implications of transportation technologies. They will also encourage the use of these technologies to improve traffic safety.
Call Arash Law Today
While the California Office of Transportation is making efforts to increase the safety of Californians, accidents still happen. If you are in an accident, you have options. Your injuries are impacting your life. Your bills are not stopping, and you face more financial burdens than before. Our personal injury law firm is here to help you. Arash Law, led by Arash Khorsandi, Esq., has recovered over $750 million for injury victims throughout California. We serve clients in Riverside, San Jose, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento, and Sherman Oaks. Call us at (888) 488-1391 for an initial consultation.
