In response to the record number of traffic accident-related fatalities in Los Angeles last year, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and the Auto Club of Southern California have launched a new anti-speeding campaign.
The initiative, titled “Better Slow Than Sorry,” comes on the heels of a devastating year in which 309 people lost their lives in car accidents in the city. This followed a similarly tragic 2021, which saw 300 lives claimed by car accidents in Los Angeles. Pedestrians and cyclists accounted for a combined total of 178 deaths in such incidents in 2022.
According to the LA-based advocacy group, Streets Are for Everyone, speed is the primary cause of these fatal crashes. Doug Shupe, a spokesperson for the Auto Club of Southern California, emphasized the need for a community-wide effort to combat this issue.
The campaign is primarily targeted at young and new drivers, with a press conference scheduled to feature a mother who recently lost her son in a street racing crash. A mangled BMW sedan, involved in a fatal speed-related crash in Bakersfield in 2020, will also be displayed as a stark reminder of the consequences of reckless driving.
This campaign underscores the urgent need for road safety awareness and the dangers of speeding. Reminding drivers to slow down could save lives and prevent tragic losses in the future.