Gas Prices Drive Down Auto Accident Rates in Bakersfield, California

By: Joel McLaughlin

There's one happy outcome of soaring gas prices that Bakersfield traffic enforcement officials had not planned for a corresponding drop in auto accidents in the area.

The statistics speak for themselves. According to numbers released by the California Highway Patrol published in The Bakersfield Californian, the number of car accidents have dropped by at least 14 percent since the same period last year. That's a whopping decrease, no matter what the reason. Last year, Bakersfield witnessed a total of more than 6,000 car accidents. This year sees a markedly improved scenario. Apparently, the rising prices of gas have discouraged people from getting behind the steering wheel unless absolutely essential. There is a lesser amount of driving and consequently, fewer accidents. Fewer vehicles on the road generally tend to make for fewer car crashes.

It's not just auto accidents that have dropped dramatically. There has also been a drop in the number of drunk driving accident across Kern County. The drop in drunk driving accidents is almost the same as the drop in auto accidents in general. According to CHP statistics for Bakersfield, the number of drunk driving accidents have dropped by as much as 13 percent over the same period last year. The numbers are falling not just in the urban areas, but also in the outskirts, CHP officials say.

The happy story doesn't end at the borders of Kern County. Reports indicate that all over California, there has been a remarkable decrease in the number of automobile accidents that we have seen this year. Some experts maintain that high gas prices are only partly-responsible for this drop in auto accidents state-wide. There is also something to be said for the kind of vigilant law enforcement that our men and women in the CHP have been putting up. The CHP has done a commendable job of raising awareness levels about traffic safety, and educating motorists about their rights and privileges, as well as their responsibilities. Plus, there has been a stricter crack down on drunk driving, and speeding. There has been a zero tolerance policy towards drunk driving that is resulting in more drivers being arrested before they cause serious damage to themselves or others.

Not that everything is hunky dory on the streets, however. While the number of motor vehicle accidents has gone down substantially, the same can't be said for motorcycle crashes in the area. Motorcycle accidents this year in Bakersfield and the surrounding areas, have been the highest ever in a long time.

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