TRAFFIC SAFETY PROJECT BEGINS CITY GETS TOUGH TO PROTECT LIVES.

Byline: JIM SKEEN Staff Writer

LANCASTER -- Sheriff's deputies and city officials Thursday highlighted steps in a multifaceted effort to reduce traffic crashes and fatalities -- a campaign that includes radar speed signs, red-light cameras and enforcing seat-belt laws.

Calling the effort ``Avoid Collisions Through Increased Vigilance, Education and Enforcement,'' or ACTIVE, deputies and city officials said they want residents to take more care on the roads.

``There is no single approach to traffic accidents,'' Mayor Henry Hearns said. ``By reaching out with education and enforcement, we can save lives.''

One portion of the effort will be the installation this spring of 22 solar-powered radar-actuated speed-warning signs around 10 schools: Amargosa Middle School, Cole Middle School, Desert View School, Jack Northrop School, Lincoln Elementary School, Park View School, Sundown Elementary School, Sunnydale Elementary School, Terra Bonita North and South, and Valley View School.

The signs will tell motorists their speed as they enter the 25-mph school zones. If the driver's speed exceeds the posted speed limit, the sign's lights will flash, city officials said.

A second effort will be the installation of red-light cameras, which videotape the front and rear of vehicles entering intersections after traffic lights have turned red. By June or July, the cameras are expected to be installed at all four approaches to Avenue J and 15 Street West; on the east and west approaches to Avenue K and 10th Street West; and on all but the east approach on Avenue K at 30th Street West.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department recorded 203 collisions in Lancaster in 2005 related to vehicles running red lights, up 27.7 percent from 2004. The 2005 red-light collisions caused 238 injuries and four deaths.

``I want to see our citizens slamming on the brakes because they saw radar signs or in my office complaining about the ticket they got rather than where I see them in my day job -- in the emergency room,'' said Councilman Ed Sileo, who works as a cardio-sonographer at Antelope Valley Hospital.

Sheriff's deputies also announced a ``Click it or Ticket'' seat-belt enforcement campaign will run from May 15 through June 4. During last year's campaign, deputies issued 1,228 tickets for seat-belt violations and 52 child-restraint violation tickets, said Deputy Jon White, the Lancaster station's traffic team leader.

``This year, we would like to issue less (tickets),'' White said. ``The only way we can do that is if everybody complies and buckles up.''

Extra deputies will be on patrol starting next week looking solely for seat-belt violations. The campaign is being funded with a federal grant of nearly $40,000.

The maximum fine for a person 16 or older not wearing a seat belt is $89 for the first offense and $191 for a second offense. Motorists driving with children under 16 not properly belted or in safety seats can be fined up to $340 for a first offense and $871 for a second offense.

Children under age 6 or weighing less than 60 pounds must ride in a safety seats, deputies said. Children who are both under age 6 and weigh less than 60 pounds must ride in the back seat.

Deputies also said they have bought a trailer to be used for drunk driving checkpoint enforcement campaigns and for public education efforts at schools and special events. The trailer has a large TV screen for showing videos about traffic safety.

``It allows us to show real footage of the consequences of driving under the influence,'' said Lt. Steve Fredericks. ``Hopefully, that will encourage drivers to think twice before getting behind the wheel after they've been drinking.''

The trailer was funded in part with a $245,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety.

Lancaster City Manager Bob LaSala said the city's proposed 2006-07 budget will include funding for two more motorcycle traffic deputies. The city is also conducting a study of ``best practices'' of other communities, including traffic safety, that could be incorporated into the city's law enforcement plans.

Councilman Ron Smith said city officials are also interested in looking at street designs and other changes to encourage motorists to slow down.

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2 photos

Photo:

(1) Deputy Mike Berk checks 3-year-old Katie Smith's car seat. Deputies will be looking for seat-belt and child-seat law violators.

(2) Deputy Jon White talks about traffic safety as, from left, City Councilman Ron Smith, Lancaster sheriff's Capt. Carl Deeley and City Manager Bob LaSala listen, with the Rada Speed Feedback Sign in background.

Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer