Traffic safety benefits as more Californians stay home

SACRAMENTO – While Californians observe the stay-at-home order during the coronavirus pandemic, the state’s roadways and those who use them are seeing the impact. With traffic volume down, the number of incidents on California’s roadways, including collisions and arrests for driving under the influence, continue to decline.

“People are adhering to the order, eliminating nonessential travel, and as a result, there has been a significant reduction in the number of commuters on the highways,” Warren Stanley, commissioner of California Highway Patrol.

According to preliminary data from the CHP’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System, there was a 75% decrease in the number of crashes in California this year from March 19 to April 30, as compared to the same period in 2019. Additionally, the same SWITRS data indicated an 88% reduction in the number of people killed and a 62% decrease in the number of people injured in crashes. The total number of truck-involved collisions also saw a 60% drop, with fatal truck-involved crashes down 88%.

California’s crash reduction rate is not the only positive to come from the quieter roadways. The number of DUI arrests made by CHP officers has decreased during March and April, from 7,224 in 2019 to 4,223 in 2020; nearly 42%.

However, not all of the state’s drivers have been on their best behavior during the pandemic. The open roads have led to a few motorists testing the speed limit and eventually meeting up with a CHP officer for a citation. Between March 19 and April 30, CHP officers issued 2,738 citations for speeding over 100 miles per hour, which is an increase of 46% from last year.

“Resist the temptation to speed. Drivers are easier to spot when they are on a nearly empty roadway,” Stanley said. “Remember, taking care of one another goes beyond wearing a face covering and physical distancing. As communities in California move into the next phases of reopening, continue to slow down, pay attention to the road, drive sober and keep yourself and those around you from becoming a grim statistic.”

The mission of the CHP is to provide safety, service and security.

Submitted by California Highway Patrol.