Traffic collisions in Los Angeles claimed 290 lives last year, with over 150 of those fatalities involving pedestrians, according to Los Angeles Police Department data. Despite this grim statistic, there was a 6% decrease in traffic fatalities compared to 2024, aligning with a nationwide trend.
Efforts to Reduce Traffic Fatalities
The city of Los Angeles adopted Vision Zero in 2015, an initiative aimed at eliminating all traffic deaths by 2025. To date, nearly $350 million has been invested in the program, focusing on infrastructure improvements, public outreach, and speed surveys. An additional $13.5 million has been allocated to fund overtime for LAPD officers conducting speed enforcement in high-collision areas.
But, an audit released in April 2025 revealed shortcomings in the Vision Zero program, citing a lack of coordination between departments, an unbalanced approach, and insufficient political will. In response, the L.A. City Council approved recommendations to revamp the program late last year.
Concerns and Future Steps
L.A. City Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martínez expressed concern that the city’s political institutions aren’t responding to traffic fatalities with sufficient urgency, stating, “They don’t act with the level of urgency that they would [when] something is more sensationalist. But every single day, people are dying in our streets.”
The office of L.A. Mayor Karen Bass has stated its full support for the program’s new recommendations. Later this year, the city plans to launch a speed safety camera program, mirroring initiatives in five other California cities, to cite speeding drivers on dangerous roads. Proposed camera locations were released on February 10.
How does L.A. Compare nationally?
Traffic fatalities nationwide saw a sharp increase in the early 2020s, potentially linked to riskier driving behaviors. During this period, the rate of traffic fatalities increased faster in Los Angeles compared to the U.S. Overall. However, preliminary federal data indicates a nationwide decrease in traffic fatalities. According to transportation researcher Matthew Raifman, these changes may represent a transition from the peak experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the goal of Vision Zero?
The goal of Vision Zero, adopted in 2015, was to eliminate all traffic deaths in Los Angeles by 2025.
How much money has been invested in Vision Zero?
The city has invested nearly $350 million in Vision Zero as of the data available.
What is the city doing to address speeding?
The city is planning to launch a speed safety camera program and has invested $13.5 million in overtime for LAPD officers to conduct speed enforcement.
As Los Angeles moves forward with its revised Vision Zero program and the implementation of speed safety cameras, it remains to be seen whether these efforts will lead to a sustained decrease in traffic fatalities and bring the city closer to its goal of safer streets for all.
