CA - HOV lanes pose high risk of accidents

OFF THE WIRE

http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1675289
HOV lanes pose high risk of accidents

Interstate highways can be some of the most dangerous roadways, for a number of reasons. Highway accidents have a variety of causes, including distracted driving while waiting in stop-and-go traffic, delays due to road conditions, congestion and closures, January 10, 2014 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Interstate highways can be some of the most dangerous roadways, for a number of reasons. Highway accidents have a variety of causes, including distracted driving while waiting in stop-and-go traffic, delays due to road conditions, congestion and closures, and reckless driving. The Daily Breeze reports that Interstate 405 was the scene of a fatal hit-and-run motorcycle accident, in Culver City, Los Angeles County, California. The crash took place during the evening rush hour, and resulted in the death of a 24-year-old motorcyclist, who was riding in the High Occupancy Vehicle, or HOV lane. According to the California Highway Patrol, the 25-year-old woman who allegedly caused the accident was attempting to change into the HOV lane over double yellow lines to avoid slowing traffic ahead. When she did so, her vehicle sideswiped the motorcycle, which she allegedly did not see, causing the motorcycle and its driver to be pushed into the center divider wall. The motorcyclist died nearly five hours after the crash, due to major head trauma. Witnesses to the highway accident, including another motorcyclist who had only minor injuries, reported that the driver of the car stopped and checked on the motorcyclists, but then allegedly fled onto the nearby eastbound Marina (90) Freeway just as California Highway Patrol units were arriving on scene. After witnesses pointed out the suspect, the patrol units were able to make the arrest. According to the California Department of Transportation: - In Northern California, HOV lanes are only operational on Monday thru Friday during posted peak congestion hours, for example: between 6 am to 10 am and 3 pm to 7 pm. All other vehicles may use the lanes during off-peak hours. This is referred to as "part-time" operation. - In Southern California, HOV lanes are generally separated from other lanes by a buffer zone. The HOV lanes are in effect 24 hours a day, seven days a week, referred to as "full-time" operation. According to California state law HOV lanes are used "to stimulate and encourage the development of ways and means of relieving traffic congestion on California highways and, at the same time, to encourage individual citizens to pool their vehicular resources and thereby conserve fuel and lessen emission of air pollutants." Still, researchers with California Partners for Advanced Transit and Highways, a joint venture of the state Department of Transportation and the University of California, looked at accident data for HOV lanes in California, and reported that rear end and sideswipe collisions together comprised over 90 percent of all collisions in those lanes. The California Highway Patrol, which is responsible for HOV lane enforcement, seeks to keep HOV violation rates below 10 percent. Drivers who disobey HOV lane rules are subject to a violation ticket with a minimum $490 fine. Driving in areas with high congestion is accompanied by a higher risk of accidents. If you have been injured in a highway or motor vehicle accident, consulting with an experienced attorney may result in the best possible outcome for your case