As the summer heat gives way to the cool breeze of autumn, the California Highway Patrol station in Hanford has responded to more than 430 crashes in the past year, from non-injury fender-benders up to multiple fatality collisions.

And while no two crashes are ever the same, CHP spokesman Jerry Pierce said there are only a handful of causes that keep these incidents recurring every year.

"People need to understand how inherently dangerous driving is," Pierce said. "It demands your respect, utmost attention and caution. In today's world and society, it is not getting the respect it deserves. People aren't driving with due caution the way that they should."

So far this year, there have been 10 fatal traffic accidents in the rural areas and on highways, resulting in the deaths of more than 15 people. And of those 10 fatal crashes, drunken driving was the leading cause among the separate accidents.

"Over the last three years, the number one factor in fatalities was people driving under the influence," Pierce said. "Our DUI arrests in Hanford and, really, across the state, have increased in the last four years. It is really on the upswing."

Other primary collision factors include unsafe turning maneuvers, drivers losing control, people traveling at unsafe conditions, right-of-way violations and drivers trying to pass another vehicle on an area of road where such an action would be considered illegal.

"Too many people are driving aggressively instead of defensively," Pierce said. "You should expect the unexpected before it happens, so you can react to it in time. People pull into an intersection and don't think about which way to turn if someone pulls right out in front of them."

An additional 293 people have been hurt or injured in traffic collisions this year over the course of 150 separate incidents. The leading causes of these accidents were people driving at unsafe speed conditions, intoxicated drivers and people either running off the road or making an unsafe turning movement.

The California Highway Patrol is trying to reduce the number of traffic related injuries by enacting special enforcement violations in specific locations and recommending proper signage areas to the state and county leaders.

CHP now also employs specially marked patrol vehicles, which are patrol cars that are painted all white, have no overhead lights and only sport a Highway Patrol logo on the door. The idea is to catch problems without people changing their actions as soon as they spot a black-and-white.

However, when it comes right down to it, the CHP can't prevent them all.

"The average motorist is far more educated today towards what is going on out there on the road," Pierce said. "This is the key: Awareness, caution and respect. You need to start from day one with a teenager, teaching them to buckle up and drive safely and responsibly when they are young. This education is a vital element and we are doing everything we can to make sure people know how to keep themselves safe."

The reporter can be reached at 583-2425.

(Sept. 8, 2008)