Bakersfield police report shows drop in fatal collisions in 2024, city officials call for expanded education and enforcement

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 better. "We have begun collecting much more traffic data than we have historically," Clegg said, noting new software and performance analysts that help direct interventions.

Why it matters: Council members said the figures matter because fewer fatal collisions mean lives saved, while the increase in nonfatal injuries and bicycle collisions points to continuing risk. Council Member Smith and others pressed for more detail about education and enforcement, asking for a citywide distracted-driving public campaign and additional targeted work around specific intersections and near schools.

Key details reported and discussed - Fatal collisions: overall decrease in 2024; five of the 2024 fatalities were reported as DUI-related. The department said the share of DUI-related fatal collisions was lower in 2024 than in some prior years. - Nonfatal injury collisions: small increase (about 1 percent), with the department seeking ways to reduce rear-end and other injury collisions. - Bicycle collisions: rose from earlier years to five reported in 2024; department flagged bicycles as a focus for outreach and enforcement. - Primary collision factors identified for severe collisions include speed, DUI, pedestrians in the roadway, and running traffic signals/signs.

Enforcement and staffing Stratton and council members described stepped-up enforcement: an expanded traffic division, a larger motor program, commercial vehicle enforcement, a strengthened major collision investigation team and use of Office of Traffic Safety grants that fund checkpoints and roving DUI patrols. The department said it currently fields a substantial traffic unit — including officers, sergeants and a lieutenant — and is running additional police academies to reach budgeted staffing levels.

Council requests and next steps Council members asked for follow-up analyses: longer trend lines (5–10 years) for context, a breakdown of distracted-driving collisions, and targeted plans for intersections identified as high-collision locations (Monterey & Beale; 20th/21st; Brundage near Madison). Council Member Arias requested an update on school-area safety and on how many officers are assigned to traffic work; Stratton said motorcycle and traffic staffing have grown substantially from near zero in prior years.

No public speakers signed up for this report. After discussion the council voted to receive and file the report.

Ending: City staff said they will continue monthly reporting and form a working group with community partners to analyze specific collisions and produce an education campaign focused on distracted driving, school-area safety and DUI prevention.