- May 20, 2012
Citizens for Highway 49 Safety
Updates from the California Highway Patrol
Grass Valley CHP - Stats Update
SR-49 (Beat 31) Accident & Enforcement
| Year | 1st Quarter | 2nd Quarter | 3rd Quarter | 4th Quarter | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 10 | 6 | 23 | 11 | 50 |
| 2006 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 30 |
| Change | -40% | +33% | -70% | -18% | -40% |
| Year | 1st Quarter | 2nd Quarter | 3rd Quarter | 4th Quarter | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 23 | 16 | 36 | 37 | 112 |
| 2006 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 26 | 69 |
| Change | -43.5% | -6.2% | -56% | -34 | -38% |
| Type | 1st Quarter | 2nd Quarter | 3rd Quarter | 4th Quarter | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speeding | 585 | 677 | 704 | 563 | 2,529 |
| Other | 307 | 277 | 224 | 238 | 1,046 |
| Total | 892 | 954 | 928 | 801 | 3,575 |
Fatal Crash on State Route 49 Near Cramer
AUBURN, CA: Yesterday, May 1, 2006 at 6:33 p.m., Sean Majkovica, 28 years old of Auburn was driving northbound on SR 49 approaching Cramer Road in his 1988 BMW Sedan at 65 mph. Noah Richens, 31 years old of Auburn was driving southbound in the slow lane at 55-60 mph in his 1991 Pontiac Bonneville when Mr. Majkovica crossed over the painted center line and broadsided the Bonneville. Mr. Majkovica continued off the roadway and struck a power pole, shearing the pole and falling lines onto the southbound lanes of SR 49. Mr. Richens, driver of the Bonneville, skidded off the road and overturned into a drainage ditch.
Noah Richens was transported to Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital were he succumbed to his injuries shortly after 7:00 p.m. His passenger, Victoria Richens, 58 years old of Auburn was lifeflighted to Sutter Roseville Medical Center with chest and abdominal pain, bruising and broken ribs.
Sean Majkovica was transported via ambulance to Sutter Roseville Medical Center with chest and back pain, and lacerations. Mr. Majkovica two children, Catarina two years old and Lyliana one year old were both restrained in carseats and their injuries are unknown.
The cause of this collision is still under investigation however the driver, Mr. Majkovica showed indications of drug use. Both drivers and passengers were seatbelted.
Download CHP Press Release - PDF [186 KB]
↑ Press Release courtesy Auburn/Newcastle CHP. Photo courtesy Auburn Journal
Encouraging News From Captain Ward
I thought you may be interested in knowing that your efforts for traffic safety on Highway 49 has had a positive impact in reducing the overall number of traffic accidents on Highway 49 in Placer County.
We have experienced a 17% reduction for traffic accidents on the entire stretch of Highway 49 in Placer County for the first quarter (January - March) of 2006, as compared to the same time period in 2005. Moreover, we experienced an even greater decrease of 29% on the Safety Corridor portion (from Dry Creek road to the Nevada/Placer County lines) in Placer County.
Finally, our number of enforcement contacts has increased significantly. Again, thank you for all your effort in this endeavor.
↑ Thanks to Captain Rick Ward, Captain, Commander, Auburn/Newcastle CHP
Message From Lt. Whitmore
First let me say thank you to the Highway 49 group for alerting the motoring public to the dangers of speeding on Highway 49. Accidents on Highway 49 have been greatly reduced thanks to the combined efforts of the California Highway Patrol and the media attention generated by Citizens For Highway 49 Safety.
In March 2006 there were no accidents on Highway 49. That is a landmark. While I realize that accidents will continue to happen, I think the public has taken charge and has slowed down. My officers have, and always will, vigorously enforce the vehicle code. As some of you may have read in the newspaper, if you speed there is a good chance that you will be stopped by an officer.
Let me close by saying thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Jones and all involved in the safety of Highway 49. And remember, take your time on 49.
↑ Thanks to Charles Whitmore, Lieutenant Commander, Grass Valley CHP
Captain Rick Ward, Commander, Auburn/Newcastle CHP
The Highway 49 Safety Task Force is working together to improve safety on the Highway 49 corridor. The Auburn/Newcastle CHP office in conjunction with the Grass Valley CHP office is taking a zero tolerance on speeding. In fact, we conducted a joint speed enforcement on March 16, 2006 and issued a total of 114 citations for speeding and other violations. We will continue these joint speed enforcement efforts throughout the year. However, we need your help in reducing the number of accidents on Highway 49. For 2005, the Auburn/Newcastle CHP office investigated 1,818 traffic accidents for our entire area.Unfortunately, we investigated 213 accidents on Highway 49 last year, as compared to 224 accidents in 2000.
The Auburn/Newcastle Area office is responsible for more than 800 square miles of area in west Placer County, which includes I-80, S.R. 49, S.R. 193, S.R. 65, and over 1,100 miles of county roadways. We have 30 Road Patrol Officers assigned to the Auburn/Newcastle Area Office to patrol these roadways 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We are committed to providing the maximum amount of service and traffic enforcement allowable with our current staffing levels.
Increased enforcement, mandatory daylight headlights, and other improvements are expected to help reduce the number of accidents on Highway 49, however, traffic safety is a team effort and we need your help. By following the good driving practices listed below, you will be doing your part:
- Stay alive, don't speed on Highway 49.
- Use your headlights for safety.
- Always drive at a safe speed.
- Click it or ticket, always buckle up.
- Don't drink and drive, designate a driver.
- Be patient, don't pass.
- Stay alert for oncoming traffic.