Speed Kills: CHP Determined to Educate Drivers on Dangers of Aggressive Driving

[Editor's note: The following was submitted by the California Highway Patrol.]

In an effort to curb motor vehicle fatalities and injuries caused by aggressive driving and speeding—California’s number one contributor to collisions—the California Highway Patrol (CHP) has launched an enforcement and public education campaign to “help prevent unsafe driving and deadly collisions.”

According to the CHP’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), approximately one third of all fatal and injury collisions in California are a direct result of unsafe speed. 

With the support of a federal traffic safety grant, “Reduce Aggressive Driving Incidents and Tactically Enforce Speed (RADIATES) II,” the CHP is determined to educate motorists about the dangers of aggressive driving and take appropriate enforcement action.

“Through this grant-funded education and enforcement campaign, the CHP will target motorists who speed and display aggressive behavior behind the wheel to help prevent dangerous driving and deadly collisions,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. 

Preliminary SWITRS data for 2011 shows more than 48,600 total collisions attributed to unsafe speed. Improper turning led to more than 22,100 collisions, while driving on the wrong side of the road resulted in more than 5,700 crashes. These aggressive driving behaviors contributed to the more than 1,100 people killed and an additional 106,494 others injured.

The primary goal of this grant is to reduce by 5 percent the number of fatal and injury traffic collisions where speed, improper turning, and driving on the wrong side of the road are primary collision factors.  To achieve this goal the CHP will combine an active public awareness campaign with enhanced enforcement.  

“We are dedicated to saving lives throughout the state,” added Commissioner Farrow. “This grant will help reinforce our traffic safety efforts through additional education and enforcement statewide.”

Compared to this same time period last year in the Bay Area, there has been an increase in fatal collision deaths.  

“We need to make an immediate impact,” said Golden Gate Division Chief Teresa Becher.  

“Additional officers will be out patrolling freeways and unincorporated roadways starting November 7.  This is a perfect time as we begin to approach the holiday season.”

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.