Safety Behind the Wheel
The City of Santa Clarita and the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station are committed to improving traffic safety and reducing the number of collisions on our streets. Following the implementation of the award-winning “Heads Up!” public safety campaign, statistics show that between 2016 and 2024, the collision rate in Santa Clarita has declined 36%, and the injury collision rate has declined 56%, according to Santa Clarita City Traffic Engineers.
Santa Clarita Youth Grove
The Santa Clarita Youth Grove is dedicated to Santa Clarita youth (24 years old and younger) who have died in traffic-related incidents, and provides a safe, centralized location for young people and community members to remember those lost.
More than 1 in 4 drivers (27%) admit to typing or sending a text or email while driving.
2 in 3 (67%) drivers reported talking on their cell phone while driving.
1 in 3 (33%) said they do it often.
Taking your eyes off the road for 5 seconds at 55 mph is like driving the length of a football field blindfolded.
Heads Up! No Distraction Is Worth a Life. It Can Wait.
In 2024, the Santa Clarita Sheriff’s Station issued more than 2,200 citations for cell phone use while driving, underscoring the widespread issue of distracted driving in our community.
Distracted driving isn’t just about texting—it includes anything that takes your attention off the road, such as eating, adjusting the radio, using GPS or talking to passengers. Even a momentary lapse in focus can lead to serious and sometimes fatal consequences.
Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of crashes involving injury or death. It affects not just drivers but passengers, pedestrians, cyclists and everyone sharing the road.
Here’s how you can prevent it:
Silence your phone or use “Do Not Disturb While Driving” mode
Program GPS and music before you start driving
Pull over safely if you need to send a message or take a call
Speak up if you’re a passenger and the driver is distracted
Lead by example, especially for young drivers watching your habits
Let’s work together to keep Santa Clarita’s roads safe. Stay focused. Stay responsible. Drive distraction-free.
Speeding was a factor in over 50,000 injury-related accidents in California in 2022.
More than 1 in 3 drivers (36%) admit to running red lights.
Heads Up! Better Late Than Never—Slow Down.
In 2024, a total of 14,575 traffic citations were issued in Santa Clarita—a 17% increase from 12,424 citations in 2023. Of those, 65% were for unsafe speed, making it the most common traffic violation in the City.
While citations for speeding remain high, the number of collisions caused by unsafe speed has dropped 5% since 2022, indicating that enforcement and awareness efforts can make a difference.
Think You Know Who’s Speeding? It’s probably not out-of-towners—it’s your neighbors…and even you. We all share the responsibility of keeping our neighborhoods safe. Santa Clarita will not tolerate reckless driving.
Be responsible before you lose your driving privileges—increased enforcement is happening now. If you choose to speed, street race or drive under the influence, you will get caught.
Ask yourself: is it worth your money, your license or your life?
Stop speeding before we stop you. The City of Santa Clarita and the Sheriff’s Department care about you, your family and the safety of everyone on our roads. Please, slow down.
30% of deadly crashes in California involved alcohol impairment, compared to the national average of 28.8%.
Heads Up! One Bad Choice Can Change Everything. Drive Sober.
In 2024, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported a combined 719 DUI arrests in Santa Clarita.
Impaired driving doesn’t just involve alcohol—it includes any substance that affects your ability to drive, such as marijuana, prescription medications or illegal drugs. Even small amounts can slow reaction times, impair judgment and reduce coordination behind the wheel. DUI crashes often result in severe injuries or fatalities that could have been prevented.
How You Can Prevent It:
- Plan ahead—designate a sober driver or use a rideshare or taxi
- Stay overnight if you’re attending an event where you’ll be drinking
- Never get in a car with a driver who appears impaired
- Talk to friends and family about making smart choices before they get behind the wheel
- Report suspected impaired drivers to local law enforcement
A DUI conviction can lead to jail time, license suspension, fines and mandatory education programs. The impact of impaired driving extends beyond the driver—it affects families, friends and the entire community. Let’s keep Santa Clarita safe for everyone on the road; Drive sober or don’t drive at all.
