Malibu PCH crackdown leads to 4,700+ citations, drop in crashes

A crackdown on speeding and dangerous driving along Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu appears to be working, according to a report by the city.

The mid-year traffic enforcement numbers from the city found that California Highway Patrol and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department have written 4,790 traffic citations between January 1 - June 30, 2024. It also found that 3,4044 citations for speeding were issued and there was a 36% decrease in collisions from last year.

On Oct. 17, 2023, four Pepperdine University students were killed in a crash on PCH. According to L.A. County Sheriff's Capt. Jennifer Seetoo, the driver, identified as Fraser Bohm, lost control of his car and crashed into three parked cars which struck and killed Niamn Rolston, Peyton Stewart, Asha Weird, and Deslyn Williams.

Bohm was charged with four counts of murder and four counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence. He posted bail and was released from custody. He is expected to make a court appearance in Van Nuys on Wednesday morning.

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Since the crash, officials have been trying to improve safety on that stretch of road. In December, the Secretary of California State Transportation Agency said it allocated $4.2 million to improve safety in the area, including enhanced striping at curves and adding three more CHP officers to pull over speeding drivers.

In June, the Assembly Transportation Committee approved a bill that would allow speed cameras on PCH.

One man who lives right on PCH told KNX News’ Jon Baird that while he has noticed a difference, people are still driving too fast in the area.

“It's the wild west driving down this street, particularly late at night, and I don't know what that will require to change it, but more needs to be done,” he said.

On Wednesday, Caltrans will hold a meeting on its PCH Master Plan Feasibility Study at 6 p.m. at Malibu City Hall. For more information, click here .

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