Traffic Collision On Downward Trend

 As the City of Santa Clarita further implements its “Heads Up” traffic safety campaign, data from the first five months of 2018 show a downward trend in the number of collisions. Currently, total collisions in Santa Clarita are down 12 percent. There has also been a six-percent reduction in the amount of collisions causing injury, as well as a 10 percent drop in the number of collisions involving bicyclists.
This drop comes as the City continues its award-winning “Heads Up” campaign, currently focusing on bicycle safety. Heads Up is a public safety messaging campaign reminding drivers, pedestrians and cyclists to disconnect from distractions and be aware of their surroundings at all times.
Through social media messaging, advertising and public signage, the Heads Up campaign educates residents on the role they play in traffic safety. For bicycle safety, the City has distributed reflective stickers for bicycles and helmets through local bike shops and is in the process of painting Heads Up stencils throughout the City’s trail system.
In addition to seeing a continued downward trend when it comes to accidents taking place in Santa Clarita, Santa Clarita Sheriff’s deputies are increasing strategic enforcement measures that are resulting in more citations. Through May, deputies have written a total of 7,787 citations, which represents a 25 percent increase over the same time frame last year.
The City’s Traffic Safety Team, which is comprised of City staff and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department personnel, implements a Traffic Safety Plan predicated on three E’s: Education, Engineering and Enforcement. While Heads Up is an education plan, the City’s traffic engineers analyze collision data for trends and work with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Department to develop enforcement plans to reduce collisions and unsafe driving behaviors in known problem areas throughout the City.
For more information about the City’s efforts to improve traffic and pedestrian safety in Santa Clarita, visit santa-clarita.com/HeadsUp.