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Bakersfield police report shows drop in fatal collisions in 2024, city officials call for expanded education and enforcement
Summary
The Bakersfield Police Department reported an overall reduction in fatal collisions and DUI-related fatal collisions in 2024, though nonfatal injury collisions rose slightly. City leaders and police described data-driven enforcement, additional traffic staffing, and planned public education as key next steps.
The Bakersfield Police Department told the City Council on Feb. 12 that the city recorded fewer fatal traffic collisions in 2024, including a notable reduction in DUI-related fatal crashes, even as total nonfatal injury collisions rose slightly.
Assistant Police Chief Brent Stratton said the department is shifting to a more data-informed approach to traffic safety, and credited partnerships and targeted enforcement for the decline. "For 2024 as we closed out some of our numbers, the good news is that we were able to see an overall reduction in total fatal collisions as well as a significant reduction in DUI related fatal collisions," Stratton said. He added the city still saw increases in bicycle collisions and that reducing broadside and head-on crashes remains a priority.
City Manager Clay Clegg told the council the city has invested in tools to analyze traffic data…
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