Traffic commission recommends 3‑way stop and crosswalk at Bridlewood and Vista Viejo after resident recounts pedestrian injury

The Laguna Hills Traffic Commission on Sept. 17 recommended that City Council install a 3‑way stop and a marked crosswalk at the intersection of Bridlewood Drive and Vista Viejo following repeated resident complaints about speeding and a recent injury.

Aaron, a nearby resident who shared photos and video with staff, told commissioners a young woman was struck on Aug. 8 and ‘‘was unfortunately run down by a speeding vehicle downhill’’; he said the victim’s ‘‘face was injured and bloodied’’ and urged the commission to act before more serious harm occurred. City staff and the commission acknowledged that the incident is not counted in the engineering firm’s warrant analysis because it was not classified as a ‘‘correctable collision’’ under the study’s criteria.

Staff summarized past reviews from 2018, 2019 and a 2025 engineering analysis by Hartzog & Crable (HCI). The HCI report found zero non‑correctable collisions at the intersection over a five‑year period and determined the intersection did not meet the California Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices criteria for an all‑way stop—reporting approximately 64% of the required major‑street volume and about 12% of the required minor‑street volume. Staff also noted recent non‑physical measures already installed, including striping and a painted median with raised dots.

Commissioners balanced two lines of argument: several said the data and warrant criteria do not support an all‑way stop but acknowledged the lived experience of residents, including repeated near misses and the Aug. 8 injury. Discussion focused on right‑of‑way assignment versus broader speed control. One commissioner suggested a high‑visibility crosswalk with a Rectangular Rapid‑Flashing Beacon (RRFB) as a more targeted option; another said visible enforcement and immediate right‑of‑way measures would improve safety while a longer‑term speeding review could be developed.

Ultimately the commission voted unanimously to recommend establishing a 3‑way stop at Bridlewood and Vista Viejo and to include a crosswalk recommendation for City Council to consider. Separately, commissioners approved a motion to form a narrowly scoped ad hoc working group of two commissioners to identify known and potential speeding hotspots and return findings to the commission by March.

The commission’s recommendation will be transmitted to City Council for final approval and any required budget or curb‑ramp changes to make the crossing ADA‑compliant. Staff noted that installation of multi‑way stop signage and crosswalks may require curb ramp work and possible fiscal review for construction costs.

Next steps: staff will prepare a formal recommendation and fiscal analysis for City Council; the ad hoc group will begin compiling speeding‑hotspot information and return to the full commission with findings.