Why California Leads the Nation in Bike Deaths

from AIRTALK / KPCC / National Public Radio (NPR), October 28, 2014

The number of bicyclists killed in crashes with cars has increased 16 percent in the past couple of years. Nationally, 722 cyclists died in those kinds of accidents in 2012. California leads the way with 123 of those. That doesn’t include cyclist deaths from crashes where no car was involved. That’s all according to a new report issued by the Governors Highway Safety Association. Many deaths were related to alcohol consumption and a lack of a helmet.

Today on AirTalk, we’ll look at what other factors specifically in Los Angeles contribute the high number of deaths and talk about how could they be prevented. Will the new 3-foot law decrease the number of deaths?

Guests:
Allan Williams, author of the Governors Highway Safety Association study, “Spotlight on Highway Safety: Bicyclist Safety”

Gary Brustin, attorney that specializes in bicycle accidents. He has offices in San Jose and Santa Monica and has worked on over 1,000 cases.

READ THE ONLINE ARTICLE HERE

DOWNLOAD THE RADIO BROADCAST HERE

AirTalk – NPR – October 2014 (9096 KB)