Dangerous Driving Behaviors On Highway 74 Prompt Action In Riverside County

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — The dangerous driving behaviors of some motorists on winding state Route 74, between Palm Desert and Idyllwild, have prompted the California Highway Patrol to step up enforcement efforts ahead of busy holiday travel.

In a news release Monday, Riverside County Supervisor V. Manuel Perez and State Assemblymembers Greg Wallis and Jeff Gonzalez said they have worked with the CHP to secure additional enforcement.

The three officials have raised safety concerns following what they say are alarming videos shared by local residents showing dangerous driving on the mountain highway.

"I continue to be deeply concerned about the driving tactics and amount of large trucks on Highway 74," Perez said. "With the holiday season in full force, mountain residents are experiencing an influx of trucks that are causing drivers to fear there can be an accident. I understand because I almost lost my brother on Highway 74. Public safety is a top priority for our office and that includes robust traffic enforcement on our mountain roads. I want to thank CHP for taking swift action."

State Route 74 features narrow lanes, tight switchbacks, very steep drop-offs, as well as sometimes icy and/or wet and foggy conditions during winter. Other hazards include low visibility around corners, oversized trucks struggling through the tight curves, and the occasional presence of cyclists.

The CHP’s commercial enforcement plan for the highway includes more patrols, additional training to detect and cite commercial violations, and community meetings that the CHP will host in the coming months for residents to voice their concerns.

Wallis and Gonzalez have proposed state legislation to improve safety on SR 74.

"Highway 74 has been a vital connection between our mountain and desert communities for nearly a century, but it was never built for the level of heavy truck traffic and reckless driving we are seeing today," Wallis said. "That’s why Assemblymember Jeff Gonzalez and I introduced AB 1145, known as Tristin’s Bill, to require a comprehensive safety study of Highway 74 and similar roads so Caltrans and CHP have the data they need to act. I’m extremely grateful to Supervisor Perez and our local law enforcement for their partnership and advocacy highlighting the concerns we are all hearing from residents, and I’ll continue working with them to improve safety along this critical corridor."

Tristin Samuel Bourgeois, 27, of La Quinta, was killed on the highway near Vista Point on Oct. 31, 2024.

California Highway Patrol records showed that a big rig was traveling "downbound" into the desert when it lost control and overturned. Bourgeois was traveling in the opposite direction toward his place of work when the big rig overturned.

In a GoFundMe page posted for Bourgeois's family, he was described as "a vibrant father, spouse, son, brother and friend."

Gonzalez said he wants to see improvements on the highway. "Our residents deserve safe roads, and I am thankful for every person working to make that a reality."