Police report spike in fatal car accidents

Although Camarillo police reported a slight dip in car accidents last year, officials are concerned by a spike in drunk driving-related vehicle fatalities.

Sgt. Harold Hanley of the Camarillo Police Department said 698 crashes were reported in 2006, compared to 788 in 2005.

"It's a drop of 11.42 percent, which is good, but we can do a lot better than that," Hanley said.

He said the department's biggest concern is the number of fatal accidents in Camarillo. Last year, five people were killed in traffic accidents. Hanley said the city usually numbers one fatality a year.

In those five fatal accidents, three involved bicyclists, one a motorcyclist, and a toddler who was killed when a drunk driver hit a minivan.

Hanley said three of the five accidents were DUI-related and that in all the wrecks speed was a factor.

"We're seeing more drunk drivers on the road," Hanley said.

The department made 210 drunk driving arrests in 2006- 49 more than 2005- and last year there were 52 DUI-related collisions, compared to 49 in 2005.

Hanley said the increase in drunk driving could be attributed to motorists underestimating their blood alcohol level. California's blood alcohol level is 0.08 percent, which equates to about one alcoholic beverage an hour. The person's size and the amount consumed are alsovariables.

Hanley said police are seeing more teenage drivers involved in DUI-related collisions and in those accidents passengers are less likely to be wearing seatbelts and are at more risk of serious injury.

He said teenagers are typically caught driving drunk on the weekends, especially Friday and Saturday nights.

"I would tell parents to make sure that they spot-check their children when they come home," Hanley said. "When they come home, give them a hug . . . that gives you an opportunity to detect any alcohol on their breath."

Police also recommend that parents with teenage drivers talk to them about the dangers of drunk driving.

- Daniel Wolowicz