Reportedly, the heavily populated city of Los Angeles is known as the deadliest city for traffic-related fatalities. That is not surprising if one considers the statistics showing the combined number of miles traveled by commuters, residents, tourists and other drivers each day exceeds 45 million. In its quest to eliminate traffic deaths by 2025, the California Department of Transportation has determined that the two issues to blame for the high number of crashes are poor road conditions and negligent drivers.
A road condition report indicated that approximately 50% of California roads, including Los Angeles, have missing signs, potholes, uneven surfaces, inadequate lighting and dangerous designs. Although challenging, such poor road conditions make it crucial for drivers to be particularly cautious as they navigate Los Angeles roads.
Driving behaviors that contribute to traffic deaths
Unfortunately, the poor road conditions seem to bring out the worst in Los Angeles drivers. The following driver errors are cited in a significant number of accidents:
- Aggressiveness: Traffic congestion causes aggressive driving.
- Dangerous driving: Impatience causes speeding, rapid unsignaled lane changing, tailgating and illegal turns.
- Speeding: A significant percentage of car accidents involve speeding.
- Impaired driving: A growing number of traffic accidents involve alcohol-impaired drivers.
- Driving at night: Statistics indicate that many nighttime crashes involve fatigued and impaired drivers.
- Texting while driving: Significant numbers of drivers focus on smartphones instead of driving.
- Other distractions: Coupled with smartphones, multiple other tasks cause visual, manual and cognitive distractions.
Even if safe drivers in Los Angeles are the minority, they have the right to arrive at their destinations safely. Those who fall victim to negligent drivers would be entitled to pursue financial relief after motor vehicle accidents. Although it is a complicated part of the law, filing personal injury or wrongful death lawsuits in a civil court might lead to monetary judgments against negligent drivers to cover documented losses.
