News Summary
The latest traffic report for Coronado indicates a slight uptick in vehicle traffic and collisions in 2023. Daily vehicle entries/exits rose to an average of 85,946, while total collisions increased to 163. This number remains low historically. Notably, July recorded the highest volume of traffic, correlating with an increase in collision rates. The report emphasizes the need for continued monitoring of high-collision intersections, even with no immediate infrastructure changes recommended. The findings also highlight significant impacts from pedestrian and bicycle-related accidents.
Coronado, CA – The latest annual traffic report for Coronado reveals that 2023 has been a slightly busier year concerning vehicle traffic and road safety, as total collisions have increased from 159 in 2022 to 163. Despite this uptick, these figures remain significantly low compared to historical records, with the collision tally marking one of the lowest tallies in over 40 years of data, which has been collected since 1977.
The City Council is set to officially accept the traffic report during a meeting scheduled for September 16, 2023. Key statistics indicate that an average of 85,946 vehicles entered or exited Coronado on a daily basis in 2023, which is a slight increase from 85,364 vehicles in 2022. Despite the rise in traffic, the overall volume remains well below the peak recorded in 2016, which surpassed 102,000 vehicles per day.
The month of July 2023 saw the highest traffic volume recorded, with an average of 96,099 daily entries/exits. Weekday traffic was particularly congested, which contributed to a notable increase in collision rates. Out of the reported 163 collisions, two were fatal, and 97 resulted in injuries. Approximately 56% of the crashes occurred on city streets, while 44% took place on state highways. The report noted that the primary causes for these collisions were improper turns, unsafe speed, and right-of-way violations.
The report also indicated that seven months in 2023 recorded collision rates exceeding the city’s five-year monthly average. A particularly alarming month was July, which marked 22 collisions, including one fatal incident. Intersections with three or more reported crashes are subject to safety evaluations. In 2023, two intersections met this criterion: Orange Avenue and Second Street, and Tenth Street and G Avenue, both of which recorded three collisions.
City engineers assessed these intersections but found no visibility or safety concerns, recommending that they be monitored rather than modified. For state route reviews, Caltrans requires a threshold of five crashes in a single year; however, no state route locations in Coronado met this criterion for 2023.
The financial impact of vehicle collisions is significant, and the report emphasizes that Orange Avenue has recorded 141 collisions over the past five years, earning the title of the city’s most hazardous corridor. Other notable areas with collision concerns included Silver Strand Boulevard, Fourth Street, and Third Street. In the Coronado Cays, there were 15 collisions logged over five years, with five occurring in 2023, although these were not at the same location.
The report also documented ten pedestrian crashes in 2023, resulting in one fatality. Among these incidents, eight occurred at or near intersections. It is noteworthy that the report recommended no changes to intersections, citing existing high-visibility crosswalks and traffic signals as satisfactory safety measures.
Additionally, bicycles were involved in 23 collisions in 2023, which stemmed from various causes, ranging from right-of-way violations to unsafe speeds. A notable incident at Silver Strand and Coronado Cays Boulevard involved a bicyclist in an accident while under the influence.
Based on these insights, the report proposed that the Coronado Police Department should begin segregating e-bike incidents from standard bicycle crashes for improved analysis and trend monitoring. While the increase in collision numbers amid heightened traffic presents some concern, the overall figures remain comparatively low.
In summary, while 2023 has seen an increase in traffic and collisions in Coronado, city staff do not recommend any new physical changes to road infrastructure but will continue monitoring high-collision intersections. The impact of anticipated bicycle and e-bike regulations slated for 2024 will be analyzed moving forward.
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Additional Resources
- Coronado Times: Coronado’s Roads Are Busier
- Wikipedia: Traffic
- Cape Cops: Stolen Pickup Crashes on Coronado Parkway
- Google Search: Vehicle Collisions in Coronado
- Fox 5 San Diego: Car Fire Delays Traffic on Coronado Bridge
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Traffic Safety
- NBC San Diego: Woman Dead After Vehicle Plunged into the Bay in Coronado
- Google News: Coronado Traffic Accidents
- Times of San Diego: DUI Suspect Arrested at Hospital After Crash
Author: STAFF HERE CORONADO
The Coronado Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HERECoronado.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Coronado, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Coronado Island Film Festival, productions at Lamb’s Players Theatre, community workshops at John D. Spreckels Center, and iconic celebrations at Hotel del Coronado. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Coronado Chamber of Commerce and Visit Coronado, plus leading businesses in hospitality, dining, and tourism that drive the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERESanDiego.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, and HERELosAngeles.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
