Residents call for more safety measures on Pacific Coast Highway

Despite not being on the agenda, residents, lawmakers and deputies packed the Malibu City Council meeting to call for more safety measures on the Pacific Coast Highway.

Last week, four young women from Pepperdine University died in a violent crash along the major thoroughfare. While also passing their condolences to the women's loved ones, speakers shared their own stories of death, injury and fear along the treacherous freeway.

"When you exit the driveway to PCH it's like playing Frogger," said one speaker. 

Since 2020, 37 people died in car crashes on the 22-mile part of the PCH near Malibu. Some of the victims were in cars. Others, like the four sorority sisters — Asha Weir, Niamh Rolston, Peyton Stewart and Deslyn Williams — were standing along the roadside when a car came speeding into them.

"We got to stop this," said Mayor Steve Uhring. "We got to find a way to fix this and that's what we're gonna do."

Uhring added that the safety concerns along Malibu's part of the PCH have been an ongoing issue, but the city can't get the enforcement it needs. Caltrans maintains the roadway, but the California Highway Patrol and Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department cannot patrol the area because of understaffing — despite available funds. 

"We'll pay them whatever they need to get those resources. Money isnt the issue," said Uhring. "We have offered to pay them whatever they need."

Local sheriff's department Captain Jennifer Seetoo called for the state to install more speed cameras. She claimed the technology has led to a decrease in traffic fatalities. 

The speakers also included Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, who called for an end to governmental bureaucracy to help improve safety.

"We will not let the boundaries of government bureaucracy be the reason we do not take action," she said. "We will bring everyone together to implement real solutions."

Joy Benedict contributed to this report.