PCH — Hoping to make the stretch of Pacific Coast Highway that runs through Malibu safer, the city has added an additional full-time Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department motorcycle deputy to patrol the roadway.
In just the first two weeks of stepped-up enforcement, an additional 135 traffic citations have been issued, officials said in a press release.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department provides traffic and law enforcement for Malibu on a contract basis. It launched the enhanced enforcement on PCH with temporary motorcycle deputies in July. Of the 135 citations the deputies issued in two weeks in July, 80 percent were for speeding violations while the remaining citations were for right-of-way, cell phone, drivers’ license, stopping, seat belt and pedestrian violations.
“The new motorcycle deputy will focus on speeding motorists along PCH because that is the No. 1 cause of accidents,” said Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station Captain Joseph Stephen.
The Malibu City Council in June agreed to spend $175,000 for the first year to pay for an additional full-time motorcycle deputy to patrol PCH. In future years, continuing the service will cost nearly $250,000 annually.
Malibu City Manager Jim Thorsen said the city receives about 19 percent of revenue collected from traffic citations and will earn at most $30,000 in revenue because of the additional deputy.
“Public safety is the top priority for the city of Malibu, and the increased traffic enforcement is already helping to slow down motorists, reduce unsafe driving maneuvers and make PCH a safer thoroughfare,” said Malibu Mayor Jefferson Wagner.
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