Ortega Highway Traffic Program Continues In Laguna Niguel

LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA — Make sure those seatbelts are buckled, Laguna Niguel. The California Highway Patrol's Capistrano Highway Intervention Program, alternatively known as CHIP, will continue along Ortega Highway through next September thanks to funds received by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the CHP announced Tuesday.

The 12-month enforcement and educational program began in October with an ultimate goal of saving lives and removing unsafe drivers from California State route 74, popularly known as Ortega Highway.

Residents may see an enhanced highway patrol presence in the coming year along Ortega Highway, thanks to the grant funds provided. The CHIP campaign will also release a public education and awareness campaign to reinforce the safe driving message, the CHP said.

For many, Ortega Highway is one of the most dangerous highways in the state due to the high number of traffic crashes, the CHP reported.

The leading cause of these crashes are speeding cars and driving under the influence. According to the CHP, between federal fiscal years 2017 and 2019, there were 1,851 fatal and injury crashes occurring on the highway.

Of those crashes, roughly 1,134 indicated speed and DUI as the main crash factor.

California Highway Patrol officers along Ortega Highway will focus on catching the leading causes of injury crashes before the crash can occur. They will be looking out for speeding cars, possible DUI cases, unsafe turning and unsafe passing violations.