Crashes up on Highway 17
Highway 17 crashes hit a ten year high and there’s fear the number of accidents will increase. 60,000 drivers use highway 17 every day of the week. Drivers commute from the coast to the Silicon Valley. California Highway Patrol said with more cars comes more accidents.
“We have people not paying attention. We have people who are not observing the speed limits. Following too closely and all of those things can contribute to a crash,” said CHP officer Ross Lee.
There were 664 crashes on highway 17 in 2015. Just this January, there were 95 accidents, that’s three times as many as last January putting 17 on a dangerous path to a new record.
There are flashing lights and signs to warn drivers of upcoming twists and turns, but the Santa Cruz County Transportation Commission said it’s up to drivers to take it slow.
“The drivers need to take into account the traffic conditions, roadway conditions, the weather in order to determine how to drive,” said Ginger Dykaar, with Santa Cruz County Transportation Commission.
Monday’s rain didn’t seem to phase most of the drivers up near the summit. Earlier this month on a rainy night there was a solo accident that left an SUV on it’s side. Since 1990 there’s been 80 fatal car accidents on highway 17. CHP said one of the easiest ways to prevent an accident is for drivers to put their cell phones away. Trucker, Daren Kenney said he sees distracted drivers all the time.
“I see a lot of them speeding down the road and they’ll be on the phones at the same time texting or not paying attention. A lot of them have to slam on the brakes at the last minute,” said Kenney.
Some drivers don’t manage to slam on the brakes in time,. CHP is asking all drivers to stay focused and alert.