accepted

September 16, 2015 Palisades News Page 5
PCH Is a Jurisdiction Nightmare;
Uber/Lyft Lowering DUI Arrests
By SUE PASCOE
Editor
In just 10 miles along Pacific Coast Highway,
from the McClure Tunnel to the
Malibu Pier, it would be possible to receive
a traffic ticket from four different law
enforcement entities: the California Highway
Patrol (CHP) West Valley; Los Angeles
County Sheriff’s Malibu-Lost Hills Station;
Los Angeles Police Department West L.A.;
and Santa Monica Police Department.
At the PCH Taskforce meeting on September
2, each group reported on traffic
accidents on the portion of the road they
patrol.
CHP’s Leland Tang, whose jurisdiction
is from Coastline to Malibu city limits, reported
that through August there had been
seven collisions: three involved injuries and
four had property damage. By comparison,
there were nine collisions in 2014. “The primary
factor [for the accidents] was speed,”
Tang said.
Lt. James Royal with the sheriff’s department,
whose jurisdiction extends from
Malibu (where CHP’s jurisdiction ends) to
Leo Carrillo Beach, said there were 191 accidents
this year compared to 200 in 2014,
through the end of July.
Last year there were four fatalities, compared
to five at the time of the PCH meeting.
In February, Bruce Jenner’s Cadillac Escalade
slammed into two other cars and a
woman was killed. According to Reuters, the
investigation showed speed was a factor—
considering the existing traffic conditions.
The second fatality was in March. Mela -
nie Quinonez, who had pulled over to the
side of the road, was hit while standing next
to her vehicle in the early morning hours.
The hit and run resulted in the arrest of a
25-year-old.
Deputies say PCH can be dangerous for
pedestrians, joggers and even motorists who
pull over, and warn, “When you’re on PCH,
please be aware of your surroundings. Be
careful when you exit your car and when
you’re walking on PCH.”
The third victim was a hiker from Scotland
who attempted to cross PCH. Also in June,
Dwayne Coleman, known as MC Su preme,
died when a truck slammed into Coleman’s
vehicle, which was parked along PCH.
In August, a transient on a bike attempt -
ed to cross PCH, near Zuma, at 8:30 p.m.
“He didn’t have any lights,” Royal said. The
man was airlifted to Ronald Reagan UCLA
Hospital, and died four hours later.
“Hit and runs are also up significantly,”
Royal said. There were 43 this year through
July as compared to 27 last year. Also DUIs
were up: 74 this year and 57 last year.
That DUI rise was different than the
other three law enforcement agencies,
which saw a decline.
“It is absolutely noticeable how many
“But in more affluent
areas people are taking
Uber and Lyft. It’s taking
more drunks off the road.”
— Nyamweci Samuel, LAPD
drunks are taking Uber,” said LAPD’s
Nyamweci Samuel, who said he observed at
the last DUI checkpoint that at one point—
of six cars, five were Uber drivers taking
inebriated people home.
Samuel’s area on PCH extends from
Chautauqua Boulevard to Coastline Drive.
“I cover such a small area,” he said, noting
that accidents were up slightly, but there
have been no fatalities in 2015.
“In less affluent areas, people drink and
then roll the dice and drive,” Samuel said.
“But in more affluent areas people are taking
Uber and Lyft. It’s taking more drunks
off the road.”
Other enforcement officials agreed that
DUIs were down and Tang added, “State -
wide DUI arrests are going down.”
Samuel said that more of the DUIs now
appear to be drug-related, rather than alcohol-related.
He also said that at DUI checkpoints, officers
look for unlicensed drivers because
“Those drivers are five times more likely
to get in a fatal accident.”
Santa Monica Police officials reported
there have been 21 collisions (10 involving
injuries) through August from McClure
Tunnel to Entrada. The highest frequency
of accidents is on Sunday from 3 to 7 p.m.
and the major reason is speed.
Samuel, Tang and McDonnel said that
there is an attempt to do more education,
warnings and less ticketing. “If we give you
a ticket it’s for education, not because we’re
mean,” Samuel said.
Now enrolling
new students.
Classes for Kids of all ages,
Teens, and Adults:
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu,
Kickboxing & MMA
A PRIVATE SCHOOL OF MARTIAL ARTS
Contact us now to set up a complimentary trial lesson
310-454-7105 • e-mail: info@maximpactma.com
16632 1/2 Marquez Ave., Pacific Palisades, CA, 90272
www.maximpactmma.com