The Malibu City Council will consider a motion on January 8, 2024, to extend the declaration of the existence of a local emergency related to the increase of reckless and illegal driving on Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). The declaration directs staff to coordinate efforts with other governmental agencies to increase attention and create programs to reduce the risk and danger associated with the PCH in Malibu.

Originally passed on November 13, 2023, the motion was enacted after four Pepperdine University students were killed and two others injured by a speeding driver while walking along a stretch of PCH.

The motion allowed the city manager to quickly approve a short-term contract with the California Highway Patrol to immediately bolster interim patrols with officers volunteering for overtime. There have not been regular CHP patrols in Malibu since the city was incorporated in 1991.

“The increase in dangerous, illegal, reckless, and/or distracted driving on PCH in the city currently poses extreme peril to persons and property in Malibu. As such, the city council finds that the declaration of local emergency remains valid and necessary, and will remain in effect until the extreme danger has subsided,” the motion states. “To reduce and prevent the risks associated with dangers posed on PCH, city staff are directed to coordinate with Caltrans, the Los Angeles County Sheriff, the California Highway Patrol, and other entities and government agencies to implement programs, increase enforcement of existing laws and/or develop solutions to reduce the danger on PCH to pedestrians, cyclists and other motorists from dangerous, illegal, reckless and/or distracted driving on PCH.”

According to data from the Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System obtained through UC Berkeley’s Transportation Injury Mapping system, between 2018 and 2022 there were 22 deadly crashes on PCH in Malibu, resulting in the death of 23 people. Data from the California Highway Patrol indicates that there have been 49 fatalities along PCH in Malibu from 2012-22. There have been 170 combined deaths and serious injuries to drivers, passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians between 2011 and 2023 along PCH in the city.

In the motion, city staff will recommend adopting the resolution, which will extend the declaration of the existence of the local emergency. If adopted, the City Council will review and renew this action every 60 days.

The motion will also call for the City Director of Emergency Services to address any and all impacts and conditions caused by the emergency and to obtain any and all aid and assistance from local, county, state, or federal agencies, including but not limited to aid and assistance pursuant to the California Disaster Assistance Act.

City staff are also directed to report back to the City Council regarding programs and strategies proposed or implemented to mitigate the risk associated with this local emergency.

Photo by Ed-Ni-Photo