Engineering Firm Invites Community Feedback to Enhance Regional Transportation Safety

Efforts are in progress to establish a new regional Strategic Transportation Safety Plan, with public input being solicited by Greenlight Traffic Engineering and the Western Arizona Council of Governments.

This initiative encompasses the Lake Havasu Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) region. The MPO functions as a federally mandated body that formulates transportation policies, comprised of local representatives.

Community members are encouraged to participate in a survey that seeks feedback on their perceptions of safety while traveling, observations of hazardous driving behaviors like texting, and personal insights into the primary causes of accidents. The survey also aims to identify actionable measures to enhance safety on roadways.

“Have you noticed an area that concerns you when driving, bicycling, or walking? Or thought someone should know about that traffic problem? LHMPO needs your input. Help improve traffic safety in our community by pinpointing worrisome areas and unsafe travel behaviors you have witnessed,” the survey states.

At a recent Lake Havasu City Council meeting, Josh Barger from Greenlight presented the ongoing Transportation Safety Plan, sharing pertinent crash data and insights. He highlighted a target of reducing fatalities and serious injuries in the region by 3 to 7% over the next five years, aiming ultimately for zero fatalities via crash reductions.

Data from the Arizona Department of Transportation reveals that from 2018 to 2022, 26 fatalities occurred in Lake Havasu. Recent years have seen additional fatal incidents, including at least four deaths on State Route 95 in 2023 alone.

Injuries stemming from vehicle accidents have been significant, with over 1,200 recorded injuries over the past five years. Altogether, roughly 3,000 accidents were reported during this period, averaging around 600 incidents annually.