New Funding Efforts to Reduce California Bicycle and Pedestrian Deaths

Whether you regularly walk or ride your bicycle in Escondido or elsewhere in Southern California, you likely know that pedestrian and bicycle injuries and deaths have become a serious concern. Over the last several years, the rate of pedestrian and bicycle deaths rose dramatically, doubling between 2010 and 2022. While California also has one of the largest populations and number of cyclists and pedestrians in the country, it should be a safer place for people of all ages to walk and ride their bicycles. Recognizing the need to take bicycle and pedestrian safety seriously. The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) recently announced that it would be investing $149 million in improving pedestrian and bicycle safety throughout the state with the aim of reducing the number of injuries and deaths. Our Escondido personal injury attorneys can tell you more about the funding and how it will be used, and we are here to assist you if you are already injured in a collision and need assistance filing a claim.

Federal Funding to Reduce Pedestrian and Bicyclist Road Deaths

Federal funding is aimed at the state of California to reduce pedestrian and bicyclist road deaths. The $149 million being disbursed by the OTS will go to agencies across the state in the form of 497 grants to “focus on the expansion of overall road safety and enforcement programs,” according to a report from KCRA news. The funding came after data revealed that 177 pedestrians and cyclists were killed in accidents in California in 2022, compared with only 599 back in 2010.
According to an OTS spokesperson, “from the federal government, it’s clearly a priority to reverse this trend that we’re seeing,” which averages out to approximately 12 people suffering fatal injuries daily in California pedestrian and bicycle accidents. The goal is to reduce the number of pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities in the state to zero.

Methods of Injury Reduction for Pedestrians and Bicyclists

How will the funding be used, exactly? The methods and efforts will be multiple, focusing on varied approaches to reduce accident rates from different vantage points. The first issue, which has been on the minds of safety advocates in California for some time, is the infrastructure. There is a need for more bike lanes and safer places for pedestrians to walk and cyclists to ride. In addition, some of the money will be spent on law enforcement efforts. There will be increased “bicycle education,” according to the KCRA report, and an increase in DUI checkpoints throughout the state.

Contact a Personal Injury Attorney in Escondido

Pedestrian and bicycle accidents in Escondido or anywhere in Southern California can result in devastating and fatal injuries. If you sustained injuries yourself in one of these collisions, or if you lost someone you love, it is important to take steps to hold the negligent driver accountable. You may be able to move forward with a civil lawsuit through which you can also seek financial compensation for losses. An experienced Escondido personal injury lawyer at our firm is here to help you. Contact the North County Injury Lawyers to find out more about how we can assist you with a pedestrian or bicycle injury claim in California.

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