Don't Blame Caltrans, Blame the Driver

Specifically the driver is the main party in a complex web of connections who is responsible for the deaths in the foothills. Marcus Barbosa Costa acted irresponsibly by failing to adhere to posted signs and not performing simple diligence in his job. He either did not pay attention to the restriction on Angeles Crest Highway, or simply did not care. This was compounded by the failure of his brakes, which probably would have been prevented with routine maintenance and inspection. If Costa had followed procedure by obeying highway signage and checking his truck, the tragedy would have been prevented.

Because of the high visibility of this incident, truck accidents will probably decline in the short run in La Cañada Flintridge. Yet negligent truck drivers with unsafe equipment will still be on the roads, including Highway 2. Unless the California Highway Patrol has constant patrols and surveillance, or Caltrans creates a magical, invisible shield that automatically repels trucks attempting to use the Angeles Crest Highway, the danger of big rigs crashing into storefronts will remain. What should happen is a closer inspection of the trucking industry. More tightly controlled inspection and regulation across the country will prevent these accidents, more so than finger pointing and a ban on particular stretch of road.

Like many high profile accidents, local officials and residents have a knee-jerk reaction without thinking things through. La Cañada Flintridge Mayor Laura Olhasso said “we do not need more study”, which can easily be replaced by “we do not need more thinking.” This dangerous mentality of action without thought might lead to quick placation, but usually leaves things unresolved in the future. The knee-jerk actions of the previous presidential administration can be seen as a testament to such behavior.

Caution must be maintained and cooler heads must prevail in this situation. The ban on trucks is a small bandage for a much larger problem that cannot be fixed by such a simple remedy. Caltrans cannot be held fully accountable for the nuances and idiocy of every person behind a wheel, and therefore should not be completely faulted in this case. A shakeup of the trucking industry will take more time and resources, but will ultimately lead to safer driving conditions for anyone on or near the asphault.

Blankstein, Andrew, Jia-Rui Chong, and Rich Connell. “Angeles Crest Accident Could’ve Been Prevented, Angry Officials and Residents Say.” The Los Angeles Times. 3 Apr. 2009. 16 Apr. 2009 Link.