Panel Seeks to Cut Deaths on Angeles Crest Highway

A task force representing two dozen agencies and elected officials will begin meeting later this month in hope of reducing the number of deaths and injuries on Angeles Crest Highway.

Accidents on the two-lane road--which is popular with recreation enthusiasts and motorcyclists on the weekends and Antelope Valley commuters on weekdays--have claimed 23 lives and resulted in 282 injuries between Jan. 1, 1995, and Dec. 31, 1998, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Although increased patrols have caused the numbers to drop this year--to two fatalities and five injuries--more needs to be done, according to CHP Officer Jordan Van Meter, a member of the task force.

“There are too many injuries and too many fatalities on Angeles Crest Highway,” Van Meter said. “It’s a disproportionate number due to the fact it’s such a dangerous highway.”

The CHP has received $110,000 from a California Office of Traffic Safety grant, of which $88,000 will be used to beef up patrols, $15,000 to carry out a public awareness campaign and $7,000 to buy two new radar guns, several radios and a laptop computer to do vehicle and driver’s license checks, Van Meter said.

The task force, which includes the CHP, Caltrans, the U.S. Forest Service and the Los Angeles County Fire Department and Sheriff’s Department, will have the first of four meetings May 19 to consider the most effective times of year and times of day to increase patrols.

“Our No. 1 goal will be to reduce fatal and injury accidents on Angeles Crest Highway,” Van Meter said.