This Week In The News (12/7-12/14)

Here is a roundup of news from the past week, reflecting changes in regulations, traffic accident and pedestrian fatalities, and safety initiatives in the Los Angeles area.

1. Speed Limits Increased Throughout Los Angeles

City Council officials unanimously voted to raise speed limits by 5 to 10 miles per hour, according to The Los Angeles Times. Affecting over 100 miles of Los Angeles city streets, including Mulholland Drive, Reseda Boulevard, and San Vicente Boulevard, the measure shadows a struggle to reduce traffic-related deaths. It also increases opportunities for police officers to write tickets. By law, electronic devices cannot be used to catch speeding drivers if the speed limit is too slow or it was posted more than seven years ago.

The City Council also lowered speed limits for some streets, including Figueroa Street and Alvarado Street. This further increases the potential for speeding enforcement in the area. However, the new speed limits will take at least a month to go into effect; replacing all the necessary speed limit signs may take up to three months.

2. Hit & Run Crash Killed Sleeping Man in Pacoima, CA

Reinaldo Vazquez Jr. is suspected to have hit a parked car and left the scene, as reported by NBC4. The man sleeping inside the parked vehicle, identified as Daniel Hernandez Gayosso, was severely injured and later died at a local hospital. Vasquez, aged 35, was arrested Sunday night, while police also found beer bottles and drug paraphernalia inside his pickup truck.

3. LA County Sheriff’s Provide Coasters to Encourage Clubgoers Not to Drink & Drive

To deter people from drinking and driving, Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies and city officials began handing out coasters in local bars and nightclubs. ABC7 reported more than 100,000 coasters promoting public transportation, taxis, and rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft were distributed. Also, deputies stressed that choosing a friend as a designated driver is always an option. The message reflects the potential cost of a DUI as well, which can range from $10,000 to $15,000 in fines alone.

4. Bicyclist Struck and Killed After Being Struck by a Vehicle in Cudahy, CA

A bicyclist was struck and killed by a vehicle in Cudahy, California, according to ABC7. The vehicle’s windshield was smashed. Officials investigating the accident are looking into whether poor lighting, in the area of River Road and Clara Street, was a factor. The bicyclist and the vehicle were headed eastbound when the collision happened, and the driver was reported to have stayed on the scene and contacted police afterward.

5. Family Pleads for Whittier Hit & Run Suspect to Come Forward

A 74-year-old mother was killed in a hit-and-run accident on Saturday in East Los Angeles. The incident occurred on Whittier Boulevard, according to an ABC7 report, where Matiana Jimenez was crossing. The driver has yet to come forward as of this writing, but the California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported the vehicle to be a late-2000s GMC or Chevrolet pickup truck. The vehicle has an extended cab and camper shell, as well as metallic wheel trim and a chrome push bumper, according to the CHP.

6. Google Maps Plans to Integrate Lime Inside App

According to a BGR report, Google plans to integrate Lime inside the Google Maps app. The app will now show where you can find Lime bikes or e-bikes under the transit tab on the navigation. This service is currently limited to a few areas in the United States — Dallas, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, San Diego, Oakland, San Antonio, San Jose, Scottsdale & Seattle.

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Call The Law Offices of Jacob Emrani at 888-952-2952 if you or a loved one has been injured in a motor vehicle or pedestrian accident. Our skilled personal injury attorneys are experienced filing personal injury claims and helping clients win maximum financial compensation, and serve clients all throughout California.