LOS ANGELES, Calif. – California has launched a new initiative aimed at reducing severe traffic crashes in high-risk areas across the state.
The program, announced by California State Transportation Agency Secretary Toks Omishakin and California Health and Human Services Agency Secretary Kim Johnson, introduces a statewide policy focused on road safety and designates two initial safety corridors: Avalon Boulevard in Los Angeles and Highway 91 in southeast Los Angeles County.
The initiative adopts a prevention-first, Safe System Approach to traffic safety. It aims to cut deadly and serious injury crashes by 30% by 2035 through strategic investments and policy alignment.
“The best road safety initiative is prevention, and this targeted corridor approach will save lives,” said Omishakin. “By collaborating with local partners and using data to guide investments, we can better align transportation improvements with community safety needs.”
Johnson emphasized the importance of addressing traffic safety through a public health lens, stating, “Crashes are a preventable tragedy, and prevention begins long before someone gets behind the wheel.”
The state has allocated $7 million for safety improvements along Avalon Boulevard, which experienced 122 fatal and serious injury crashes from 2019 to 2023. These crashes resulted in 21 fatalities and 115 serious injuries.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass highlighted the city’s efforts, saying, “We’ve taken action to make streets safer and the City has added miles of protected bike lanes, upgraded bus boarding stations, more crosswalks, pedestrian beacons and other safety infrastructure.”
Additionally, more than $191 million is being invested in improvements along Highway 91. The initiative’s comprehensive approach includes infrastructure enhancements, community engagement, and policy innovation to create safer corridors.
The program will measure progress by reductions in fatal and serious injury crashes, using data to guide proactive adjustments. For more details on California’s infrastructure investments, visit build.ca.gov.