OTS Collision Data thru 2023

 The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) collects vehicle collision data in each California city.  The State monitors and ranks vehicle collisions in fourteen categories, Laguna fails every one of them. Here are comparisons of collision fatalities and injuries for three beach cities, San Clemente Dana Point and Laguna Beach. For a smaller population and much lower Daily Vehicle Miles Traveled, Laguna holds an abysmal safety record compared to DP and SC. Collision rankings expressed here in percent are a safety ranking, the greater the rank the better. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This safety record is not news,  shown early as 2012. Year after year the poor record persists yet nothing is done. For street safety shortfalls this large, city policy must address the issues in mobility policy not gimmicks. Technical safety add-ons like cameras and widgets are tools but not city mobility policy. 

 

There is one category Laguna Beach is really good at, and that is DUI Arrests ranking 100% every year. In Laguna we get our man,  DUI's is good business. 

 

-LS

A Consultant's Warning

In a 28 October 2013 meeting with Let Laguna Vote, Urban design consultant Andrew warned participants "get this wrong and you will really mess this up".   

Well Laguna Beach you didn't listen to Andrew and you messed this up. Go check your notes.

Laguna's Brick Oven: The Forest Ave. Promenade

 -LS

Summer Dress Attire

 Don't you love the smell of a fresh new T-Shirt?

 

 -LS

CALIFORNIA BICYCLE 3-FOOT PASSING LAW

In the event of oncoming traffic the California bicycle passing law does NOT allow you to pass within that 3-Foot space.  The vehicle code says SLOW DOWN and PASS WHEN SAFE. 

 

The Vehicle Code says:  

2025 California Code
Vehicle Code - VEH
DIVISION 11 - RULES OF THE ROAD
CHAPTER 3 - Driving, Overtaking, and Passing
ARTICLE 3 - Overtaking and Passing
Section 21760.

c) A driver of a motor vehicle shall not overtake or pass a bicycle proceeding in the same direction on a highway at a distance of less than three feet between any part of the motor vehicle and any part of the bicycle or its operator. The driver of a motor vehicle overtaking or passing a bicycle that is proceeding in the same direction and in the same lane of travel shall, if another lane of traffic proceeding in the same direction is available, make a lane change into another available lane with due regard for safety and traffic conditions, if practicable and not prohibited by law, before overtaking or passing the bicycle.

(d) If the driver of a motor vehicle is unable to comply with subdivision (c), due to traffic or roadway conditions, the driver shall slow to a speed that is reasonable and prudent, and may pass only when doing so would not endanger the safety of the operator of the bicycle, taking into account the size and speed of the motor vehicle and bicycle, traffic conditions, weather, visibility, and surface and width of the highway.

 

-LS

Memorial Day MONSTER Trucks

CAPTION CONTEST

Some possibilities: 

1. Where's my Parking WAAAAAH!  
2. Parking for PATRIOTS
3.  Looking for Fresno 
4. Wretched Excess
5. Der Uberbaron und Die Minimalist

 

Which vehicles do Laguna Residents wish to see on their streets? Do these images challenge our LB City status-quo (do nothing) mobility plan, or does it reassure LB Residents the status-quo is working?  

-LS 

MAY IS BIKE MONTH

Let's enjoy Bike Month by riding our bikes. Let's be smart about eBikes, they can kill and riders can be killed. 

Boost your knowledge about operating eBikes;

 

START SMART

RIDE SMART

 

 

learn riding techniques and road safety among automobiles. Learn these critical skills by taking this eBike Safety Course from People for Bikes and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.  

-LS 

The Deforest of Laguna's Forest Avenue

TOLD YA SO.

A city renewal project without Project Requirements  (preserving heritage trees and sense of Place) lacks definition and contingencies.  When authorities deny Arborist's discovery and sufficient planning to manage unexpected events like public safety, the city council members are forced to make decisions that lead to results worse than expected. 

The Deforest of Forest Avenue

Now Laguna has a new sense of Place, thank you Council for the GAZA look. 

The most difficult question for an LB Council member:   "Am I true to myself"? 

"When you don't know where you're going, you'll end-up somewhere else."

-LS 

CALTRANS SHARROWS in Laguna Beach

 SHARROWS are pavement markings that indicate the roadway is shared by motor vehicles eBikes and pedal bicycles. 

Consistent with their Deputy Directive 64 for a transition to multi-modal mobility, the California Department of Transportation CALTRANS placed Sharrows on South Coast Highway at Woods Cove, pictured is 'PCH' at Moss Street. In a town experiencing a wretched excess of automobiles the use of more cycling complements the 2012 LB bike route. Like the bike route and LB Trolley these interventions are a welcome alternative to motorist traffic in Laguna Beach. 

THANK YOU CALTRANS, Department of Transformation.

Cyclists: The posted speed limit remains at 30 and 40mph, first adopters will learn to pedal harder.

SOUTHBOUND 

PCH Southbound at Moss St.

"May use full-lane" well mercy good for that.

OH SHIZ what's that ahead?

A Bikelane, perfect place to park a Semi

Why not two Semi's, nobody will notice.

Somebody  didn't get the Caltrans Memo

NORTHBOUND

 

30MPH on a bicycle?  Uphill?  No problem.

OK now what?  Guess I'll go back?

Thankyou Caltrans!

-LS

Promenade IV Street Art

 What-if the new Promenade IV offered Street Art? 

 -LS

Public Input Request LB Downtown Feb 4

Public Meeting 

One scoping meeting will be held to receive comments on the proposed scope and
content of the Downtown Specific Plan Phase II Update Draft EIR (Environment Impact Report). You are invitedto attend and present environ-mental information that you believe should be
addressed in the Draft EIR. The meeting will be scheduled for:

Wednesday, February 4, 2026 6:00 p.m.
Laguna Beach Council Chambers
505 Forest Avenue
Laguna Beach, CA 92651

 Submittal of Written Comments

Please indicate a contact person for your agency or organization and send written
comments (including first and last name, email address, telephone number, and/or
other contact information) electronically or by mail to the following:

                                        City of Laguna Beach
                             Community Development Department

                                          Planning Division
                           ATTN: Kate Kazama, Associate Planner
             RE: Laguna Beach Downtown Specific Plan Phase II Update

                                         505 Forest Avenue
                                     Laguna Beach, CA 92651
                            Email: kkazama@lagunabeachcity.net

ALL INTERESTED PARTIES ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE PUBLIC SCOPING MEETING TO ASSIST IN IDENTIFYING ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED IN THE EIR. ATTENDEES WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE INPUT TO THE CONSULTANTS PREPARING THE EIR.

-LS