Los Angeles’ roads became a far more dangerous place last year, with 260 traffic fatalities occurring on city streets. That’s a 43% increase from 2015. Preliminary numbers suggest more of the same for this year.
The figures are throwing cold water on Mayor Eric Garcetti’s Vision Zero campaign. Launched last year, the citywide initiative seeks a 20% reduction in traffic deaths by the end of this year and 0 street fatalities by 2025.
The L.A. Transportation Department’s general manager Seleta Reynold said an increase in the number of drivers, lower gas prices, more distractions and fewer speeding tickets being issued by police may be contributing to the high figures. The city’s rising crime rate has also meant the transfer of traffic officers to more pressing assignments. Advocates of Vision Zero say it needs more resources as well. Measure M is supposed to provide a sizable chunk.
Read more about L.A.’s rising traffic deaths here.