Kern grand jury report raises concerns about traffic safety in Bakersfield neighborhoods

BAKERSFIELD, Calif.(KBAK/KBFX) — A new Kern County grand jury report is raising concerns about traffic safety in Bakersfield neighborhoods, saying the city too often responds to speeding complaints after residents raise them, rather than working to prevent problems before they start.

RELATED: Neighbors seek safety fixes after 3 killed in crash at Harris Road intersection

The report says drivers frequently enter residential streets from higher-speed roads and fail to slow down.

Investigators pointed to a recent example: a deadly pile-up crash that happened last week when a driver heading east on Harris Road sped toward the intersection of Summer Springs Drive.

The report also cites staffing issues, noting Bakersfield’s traffic engineering team has not grown in decades despite a significant increase in population. It also says residents are often required to gather signatures before traffic concerns are reviewed.

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The grand jury is recommending that the city conduct regular traffic studies, improve reporting tools, and increase coordination between Public Works and police. City officials have 90 days to respond to the findings.