Graham Shea
Assistant Photo Editor
The number of traffic accidents in Malibu this year has already shattered last year’s total, and with three months until January, the growth is sure to be significant.
According to the Lost Hills Sheriff’s Department, there have been 326 reported accidents since Jan. 1. This is about 22 percent more than the 268 of last year.
“Traffic volumes have increased,” said Deputy Richard Curry of the department’s traffic office.
The traffic office keeps a count of where accidents in Malibu occur and for what reasons.
“Probably 1 percent of them are not on PCH,” Curry said. “The good news is that injuries are down. It could be from traffic being too heavy, causing more low-speed collisions. They don’t have enough time to get up to higher speeds.”
The department cited speeding as the primary cause of accidents in Malibu, though no fatalities are on record yet for 2004.
Pepperdine University’s Department of Public Safety provides mutual aid to highway patrol and the sheriff’s department for wrecks when they are close to campus. Public Safety officers are often on the scene of student wrecks.
“We have had several accidents already this [school] year,” said Deputy Director Rob McKelvy. McKelvy could not confirm whether any were alcohol related.
Pepperdine senior James Gutierrez is one of many students who exercise on PCH.
“I ride my bike on PCH at least once a week, and I run there at least twice a week,” Gutierrez said. “It’s always a bit scary, especially during mid-day on a weekend. You have to be really careful to hug the side because some people don’t really drive in their lane. Sometimes when I’m in the right lane people will come really close and speed right by me.
“My friend Justin got hit by a car on PCH,” Gutierrez continued. “He was alright, but I wish drivers would be more cautious of the people on the sides.”
Unfortunately, pedestrians and bicyclists are not the only ones endangered by reckless driving.
“During the fall semester 2003 I was in a car accident on PCH,” said graduate student Tina Worawongs. “There was a yellow light. I decided to stop, but the lady behind me didn’t see me stop and rear-ended me. My car flew about 20 feet. Ever since then I haven’t liked driving on PCH.”
A student who chose to remain anonymous agreed to talk about one of his own driving experiences in Malibu.
“I got to drive my friend’s BMW once,” he said. “I got up to 60 in Malibu Canyon and 100 on Las Virgenes Road. The fastest I’ve ever driven is 120. I didn’t go too fast on PCH, although I did race a Porsche.”
Curry suggested several ways people – particularly students — could avoid potential accidents.
“They should always leave enough time to get to class,” he said. “They should plan on arriving a few minutes early, so they don’t get stuck in slower traffic and try to make up time by speeding. Also, try not to drive and talk on the cell phone.”
According to Pepperdine’s Housing Office and Planning, Assessment and Institutional Research Office, there are 4,110 graduate and undergraduate students enrolled at Pepperdine’s Malibu Campus, 2,066 of which live off campus. When staff and faculty are factored in, one can see how significant Pepperdine’s contribution to the traffic flow is.
Sometimes the only good protection is driving defensively. Curry said accidents are most frequent at intersections. Last year, during the month of September, the highest concentration of accidents was at the intersection of Serra Road and PCH.
Rain sometimes plays a part in accidents as well. According to studies, during early fall when the first few rain showers come, the oil and grit on the road’s surface that have built up all summer become very slippery.
“You do see an increase in accidents,” Curry said.
Accidents generally peak in late summer when the traffic flow is highest, but drivers should be cautious during all times of the year. The best defense is to slow down, be alert and plan ahead.
09-30-2004
