'Zero Tolerance': Malibu Authorities Crack Down On Speeding

MALIBU, CA — The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Lost Hills Station will take a "zero tolerance" stance on traffic violations with a particular focus on state Route 1, the Pacific Coast Highway, amid community safety concerns.

Pedestrian deaths and reckless driving have become a concern nationwide as traffic fatalities rise across the country, according to the New York Times.

The Lost Hills station will take a zero tolerance policy toward "speeding, exhibitions of speed, crosswalk violations, and other vehicle code sections" after resident complaints and an increase in traffic fatalities in Malibu, the station said in a Facebook post.

"The Sheriff’s Department has a responsibility and an obligation to ensure Pacific Coast Highway, our residential neighborhoods, and the associated canyons are safe for both pedestrians and motorists," the station said in a Facebook post.

The city of Malibu has seen multiple pedestrian deaths in recent months. Among others, a woman was fatally hit by a car on Feb. 1 while she was crossing the street at 20356 Pacific Coast Highway. In December, a bicyclist was fatally struck on PCH near Back Rock Drive. A pedestrian was killed in September by a speeding driver on PCH, authorities said.

"Thank you Malibu Lost Hills Sheriff's Station Deputies for this effort to keep PCH and our canyon roads safe for all and crack down on speeders and reckless drivers that threaten our community," the city of Malibu said in a tweet.

Despite predictions that the pandemic would decrease pedestrian traffic deaths, the national pedestrian fatality rate spiked at least 5 percent in 2020. Some projections put the increase as high as 21 percent, the New York Times reported. Based on preliminary data, 2021 saw a similar increase.