WeHo Has a High Rate of DUI Collisions
Thursday - February 23, 2017 by David Warren | 4 Comments
Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs cause collisions once a week on average in West Hollywood. That is according to a new report by WeHo by the Numbers based on numbers from the California Highway Patrol and others. The report also points out a big difference between West Hollywood and nearby cities.
The report focuses on DUI collisions in West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Burbank, Culver City, Los Angeles and Santa Monica. "DUI collisions" is the author's shorthand for collisions on city streets reported to law enforcement, for which the primary collision factor has been determined to be driving or bicycling under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
David Warren
The chart above shows the number of DUI collisions in West Hollywood. The number started rising 10 years ago. It peaked at 98 — about two a week — in 2012. It dropped back down to 52 — one a week — by 2015. The report does not speculate about the causes.
The report compares West Hollywood to nearby cities using a DUI collision rate. The rate is the number of DUI collisions per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT). VMT is the sum of the miles that everyone drives in the city.
By that measure, DUI collisions appear to be twice as common in West Hollywood as in nearby cities: 31 DUI collisions per 100 million VMT in West Hollywood versus 15 in Los Angeles, Santa Monica and Burbank. Culver City (10) and Beverly Hills (6) have fewer.
However, the DUI collision rate may be influenced by how different police departments handle non-injury collisions. So the report also looks specifically at injury collisions involving alcohol. The rate per 100 million VMT is calculated for each city. West Hollywood and Los Angeles still have the highest rates among nearby cities. West Hollywood's rate is 50% higher than that of Los Angeles.
The report concludes with the observation that DUI collisions actually make up a smaller share of total collisions in West Hollywood than in most nearby cities. So the DUI collision rate may be higher in West Hollywood in part because the overall collision rate is higher.
To find out more, see the full report, DUI, Part 1: How many collisions in West Hollywood are due to alcohol or drugs?
About David Warren
David Warren, the founder of WeHo by the Numbers, is a West Hollywood resident who explores community issues and the city government's work through numbers. He welcomes suggestions and corrections at WeHoByTheNumbers.com.
carleton cronin
This is the singular reason our auto insurance costs are so high. Red-lining is supposed to be against the law but insurance companies are the law. This is an issue our council could take up.
Nir Zilberman
Of course we have a High Rate of DUI Collisions, we are city that build on bars, clubs, and hotels. we live in a fantasy land, And it's only the beginning… Most of our "leaders" are all about money, so they allow to build more new bars and clubs and hotels. welcome to the new city, where to be drunk, using METH, Heroin and other drugs is normal.it is even become normal for so many to "sell" the body to pay rent, look at craigslist, Grinder etc. Tina & Gina are West Hollywood BEST FRIENDS. so sad, But don't forget… Read more »
Snarkygal
Gee, could it be because we have so many bars and clubs?
I believe the rate has gone down because of the trolley, but even more-so because Uber and Lyft have finally made it affordable and convenient to get a ride to and from the bars. I would never consider driving to go out, but even if I did, from where I live, it probably would cost as much, or even more to park, as it would to get Lyft or Uber round trip.