Drivers to Blame in Recent Angeles Crest Highway Deaths, According to CHP

Angeles Crest Highway (Photo by Matt McGrath Photo via the LAist Featured Photos pool)

It didn't take long after the Angeles Crest Highway reopened in June for not two, not three but four drivers to lose their lives on the road.

After the third death, Caltrans launched an investigation into those deaths to assess whether signage, traffic enforcement and traffic volume could have played a role in those fatal crashes.

The agency found that it is the drivers — and not the road — that are dangerous, according to The Burbank Leader.

All of the recent fatal incidents on the Angeles Crest Highway have been attributed to driver error, including driving under the influence and speeding, according to Officer Ming Hsu of the CHP.

I’m sure you could find a lot of commuters going across the mountain to the high desert and they’ll tell you they drive it every day and there’s crazy driving out there. There’s hundreds of vehicles going across that road with no problem, it’s these drivers that are careless getting into collisions.

The first fatality in June is a possible suicide — the driver reportedly took a left at a straightaway that plunged his sedan 600 feet over the mountainside.

The second fatality that same day involved a drunk driver who crashed into a tree, after losing control of his car.

The third fatality involved a speeding motorcyclist, who missed a curve and went over the edge.

The cause of the fourth fatal accident this weekend was unknown. Speeding or drugs and alcohol were ruled out, but investigators have speculated that the driver may have not been paying attention when he missed a curve in the road and hit the mountainside.

Caltrans notes that they have made improvements to the highway, such as raising berms and installing railing along most of the mountainside, in an effort to keep cars on the road.

The road is safe, authorities say, drivers just have to be more cautious.

“People just have to respect the mountain, respect the curves," Hsu said. "And they’re not doing that.”

Contact the author of this article or email tips@laist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Emma G. Gallegos in News on August 18, 2011 2:40 PM

Comments [rss]

Tana

@destroy_all_humans
You know if vehicles are piling up behind you and you don't use a turn out tour the one breaking the law. Look up VC 21656http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pub...

CHENG

it's people like photo_la who puts other in danger! If you are driving 20 miles slower than the speed limit than you have no business driving on the road.

destroy_all_humans

you guys seem to think its possible to take those turns at 55mph, you are the reason accidents happen. There is no way to make those corners at those speeds and i'm not about to floor the gas on the brief straight aways just to slam on the brakes to make curves. You want to race, go to the race track.

CHENG

It's not about racing! It's about going the pace of posted speed limit!! You are doing 20 mph below the posted limit and creating a unsafe situation for everyone. FOLLOW THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT! There's a reason why it's posted. If you are not able to drive at the posted limit you should not drive at all.

destroy_all_humans

Please, take a photograph of these imaginary speed limit signs along this part of the highway. I have driven it many times and the only place it has 55 posted is beyond the dangerous area that people keep dying in. Also I would love to see you drive 55 around some of these bends. Driving safely is beyond your comprehension, are you 18 or something?

Steve Moonitz

I recognize *exactly* where that photo was taken and the limit in that section is 45. ACH is 55 from Mt Wilso (Red Box) up. I will gladly meet you and drive you up ACH in my 2001 F150 and we will be able to maintain the speed limit in all but perhaps three or four curves on the entire road -- with no stress and no squealing tires. On my motorcycle, there is not an inch of that road that can't be taken safely at the speed limit (or beyond, but that's not legal). And for the record, I haven't been 18 in decades. Also for the record, I ride ACH regularly and haven't gotten a ticket of ANY kind in nearly 10 years. As others have said, if you feel that YOU are going too fast at any point on ACH, just pull into a turn out and allow those people to pass who are able to safely operate their vehicles at a higher speed than your skill permits. Thanks!

SuperMarina

I drive 55 mph up there quite regularly, and I manage just fine. The trick is to adjust the suspension on your bike properly.
On the other hand, if you have a car, which is not a Porsche or something like that, or if you are not used to driving on narrow, curving roads or your driving skills aren't up to it, you may want to keep a lower speed. Just use turnouts to let faster traffic by, and all will be well. Trust me on this one.

Henry Hsu

Use a turnout.

Pablito

That's very true - if I'm looking down trying to text someone and this person is driving under the speed limit, I'm going to have to jam on my brakes much faster to avoid them than if they were going the speed limit.

Edward Joseph Kaneshiro

There are places at 15, 25, 35, 45, 55 depending on the conditions of the road 15 mph could be dangerous! You never know what is going to be in front of you especially on a motorcycle riding safely mean ride within your limits and if you not comfortable with riding at the speed limit set your own pace just be aware of the people behind you and never let them rush you. This goes the same for cars. Ride and drive safe everyone.

Twistypedia

35?!! Speed it up or pull it over buddy. The limit is 45 or 55 up there. No wonder drivers are on your butt!

destroy_all_humans

no its not 55, its dependent on the road conditions. Take the photo above, right behind that photographer is a hairpin around the mountain side. Maybe in a sports car its no problem but this isnt the autobahn, its the side of a mountain and that brief 100m of straight driving isnt worth speeding up to 55 to slow back down to 25 to safely make the corner.

SuperMarina

Nope, that isn't a hairpin. That is a rather gentle curve, which a skilled rider easily can ride through at 55 mph or higher speed.
And yes, the speed limit up there is 55 in many places. Rest is 45. If you are doing 35, be prepared to pull over and let faster traffic by.

John P

35? Isn't the speed limit 55 up there?

destroy_all_humans

yeah, really bad drivers on that road. I especially love the ones that drive right on your tail even though you are going 35. I think I've almost killed 5 motocyclists who change lanes on the hairpins.

SuperMarina

No, you didn't almost kill those motorcyclists. If they passed you, most likely they knew exactly what they were doing and considered passing you safe.
But you should have used a turnout and let them by. You are actually required to by law!