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AirTalk

Why are LA traffic fatalities way up after plan to reduce them by 20 percent?

By AirTalk Staff
Published Apr 3, 2017
SANTA MONICA, CA - JUNE 07: Law enforcement personal invstigate the shooting scene where an SUV crashed throught the wall of a parking lot and hit several cars across the street from the Santa Monica College weher a multiple shootings happened on campus June 7, 2013 in Santa Monica, California. According to reports, seven people are dead including the shooter and three people were injured. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Law enforcement personal investigate the shooting scene where an SUV crashed through the wall of a parking lot and hit several cars across the street from the Santa Monica College.
(
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
)
Listen 19:45
Why are LA traffic fatalities way up after plan to reduce them by 20 percent?

Despite seeking to reduce traffic fatalities by 20%  this year with an ambitious plan for road safety, the latest data from LA’s Transportation Department shows that traffic related deaths spiked sharply in the first full year Vision Zero. 

260 people were killed in traffic crashes on city streets, an increase of almost 43% over the previous year -- and that appears to be more than a one-year anomaly.

We break down the numbers with KPCC’s Meghan McCarty and talk about some of the possible causes, from distracted driving to cheaper gas.

Guests: 

Meghan McCarty, KPCC commuting and mobility reporter

Seleta Reynolds, general manager of the Los Angeles Department of Transportation