Long Beach Sees the Most Fatal Car Crashes in a Decade in 2025
City Leaders Demand Action After Traffic Calming Projects Fall Short
Long Beach city officials are seeking explanations following the revelation that only 17 out of 220 requested traffic calming projects received approval for immediate implementation.
City Council members Cindy Allen, Megan Kerr, and Mary Zendejas are advocating for strict deadlines on traffic studies and regular progress reports. This initiative arises in response to a troubling statistic: 53 fatal crashes occurred in 2025, marking the highest number in over a decade.
“We’re demanding an explanation,” stated Allen, highlighting the concerning disparity between requests and actual approvals. “If you have over 220 requests for traffic calming measures and only 17 get enacted, it seems very low to me.”
Allen, a former member of the Long Beach Police Department, noted that residents often lack clear reasons for the denial of their requests. She aims to improve transparency regarding decision-making in areas that have experienced significant traffic incidents.
“People are crazy, the way they’re driving,” she added. “Not following the rules and not obeying the rules of the road, and so we’re going to need PD to play a part in this, too, with enforcement.”
This call for action follows a recent multi-vehicle collision involving an RV at Atlantic Avenue and Market Street, which shook nearby residents. The incident resulted in the RV crashing into five parked cars, marking yet another occurrence in a location identified as a traffic "hot spot." Noel Barragas, a local resident, recalled a similar accident on the same street just months prior, involving eight vehicles.
“It’s not a safe street; it’s a hot spot,” Barragas remarked, referring to the area’s ongoing safety concerns.
In an effort to enhance safety in these recognized hot spots, Allen announced that the speed limit on Ocean Boulevard will be reduced to 25 mph by the end of the year. Additionally, speed cameras will be installed along the road to deter reckless driving.
The city manager’s office has been contacted for further comment on the matter.
