Discussion of New Safety Measures: Speed Cameras and Infrastructure Improvements
The City of Malibu will hold a press conference on Friday, October 18, at 6 p.m. to commemorate the first anniversary of a tragic accident that claimed the lives of four Pepperdine University students on Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). The event will focus on the city’s ongoing efforts to enhance road safety and infrastructure on PCH, highlighting the measures taken by Malibu, the State of California, Caltrans, and local law enforcement over the past year.
The press conference will take place at the Ghost Tires Memorial, located at Pacific Coast Highway and Webb Way, where officials and community members will gather to honor the students’ memory and reflect on the progress made to improve safety on PCH. Speakers will also discuss the work that lies ahead to prevent future tragedies and ensure the safety of all road users.
Key topics to be addressed include:
- SB 1297, a new law allowing the installation of speed cameras at key locations along PCH in Malibu to reduce speeding.
- Enhanced law enforcement, with a dedicated Malibu CHP Task Force and increased collaboration with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, has led to a 36% reduction in injury collisions on PCH.
- $4.1 million in short-term infrastructure improvements, funded by Caltrans, to address immediate safety issues on PCH and initiate a Strategic Master Planning effort. This long-term project aims to transform PCH into a safer, community-focused corridor for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers.
- Grants and educational campaigns from the Office of Traffic Safety to support enforcement and public awareness initiatives focused on road safety.
The press conference will feature remarks from community and safety leaders, including Damian Kevitt, founder of Fix PCH and Streets Are For Everyone (SAFE); Senator Ben Allen and Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, who authored SB 1297; Malibu Mayor Doug Stewart; Capt. Jared Perry of the California Highway Patrol; Capt. Jennifer Seetoo of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department; and Lee Haber, Chief Safety Officer for Caltrans District 7. David Rolston, the father of Niamh Rolston, one of the four students who lost their lives, will also speak.
The event underscores Malibu’s commitment to a collaborative effort between city, county, and state agencies to make PCH a safer road for all.
