STATE OF CALIFORNIA, OFFICE OF TRAFFIC SAFETY

Home Browse Search

State of California—Office of Traffic Safety GRANT NUMBER GRANT AGREEMENT PT26193 Schedule A 1. PROBLEM STATEMENT Describe the city, county, or jurisdiction this grant will impact. The City of Santa Ana, located in central Orange County, California, serves as the county seat and is known for its vibrant culture and rich history. With a population of approximately 310,000 residents, Santa Ana is the third most populous city in the county, following Anaheim and Irvine. Covering about 27.5 square miles, the city features a diverse mix of residential neighborhoods, commercial centers, and industrial areas. Santa Ana plays a key role in Orange County's public sector and educational landscape, hosting numerous government offices and institutions. The city has a predominantly Latina population, which contributes significantly to its cultural identity and community life. Santa Ana is home to historic landmarks such as the Old Orange County Courthouse and the Santa Ana Zoo, as well as modern destinations like MainPlace Mall and a growing downtown arts district. Due to its central location and proximity to major highways including interstate 5 and State Routes 22 and 55, Santa Ana experiences high volumes of commuter traffic. This results in ongoing challenges related to traffic safety, particularly for pedestrians and cyclists. The Santa Ana Police Department actively addresses these concerns through enforcement, public education, and community engagement initiatives aimed at improving roadway safety for all users. Describe the problems)to be addressed, supported by current and relevant crash data. (most recent calendar year datalstats). Santa Ana consistently reports a higher-than-average rate of traffic crashes compared to other cities of similar size. These incidents frequently involve speeding, impaired driving, and failure to yield, posing a serious risk to the safety of all roadway users. Additionally, the city's dense neighborhoods and mixed-use areas result in increased pedestrian and bicycle activity, further compounding the risks of severe or fatal crashes. During 2024, the City of Santa Ana experienced 14 fatal traffic crashes involving pedestrians or bicycles. Data indicates that the city experiences a disproportionate number of crashes in specific high-traffic corridors and intersections. Vulnerable populations, including children, seniors, and economically disadvantaged residents, are particularly at risk due to limited access to safe infrastructure and transportation alternatives. Despite ongoing efforts, enforcement resources remain strained, limiting the Santa Ana Police Department's ability to proactively address traffic safety concerns. In 2023, the city saw a decrease in the number of fatal traffic crashes; however, in 2024 the city experienced a record high of 31 fatal traffic crashes. A large portion of these crashes were pedestrians in the roadway, both at fault and not. There has been a large increase of pedestrian traffic within our city limits and many times the pedestrians are not using marked or unmarked crosswalks. The city has many large streets with multiple lanes and large gaps between intersections. This causes pedestrians to cross traffic in a dangerous manner and crashes occur. Santa Ana faces unique challenges related to traffic safety, with high volumes of vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian activity. The city's central location and major thoroughfares, including Interstate 5 and State Routes 22 and 55, contribute to significant commuter traffic. As a result, traffic safety remains a priority for the Santa Ana Police Department, which is committed to reducing crashes and enhancing the safety of all roadway users through proactive enforcement, education, and community engagement. Santa Ana continues to face dangerously high rates of traffic-related injuries and fatalities among bicyclists and pedestrians. According to the Office of Traffic Safety 2022 rankings, Santa Ana placed 6th out of 15 large cities for both bicyclist injuries and fatalities, with particularly concerning numbers among children and ' own Vision Zero Plan identifies Santa Ana as the 3rd highest among the the Clt s older adults. In addition y pedestrian crash These for hest es. 13 most populous California titles for bicyclist crashes and the 5th highest p ranking highlight a critical safety issue for vulnerable road users and underscore the urgent need for preventative measures. We currently have 100 helmets available and will properly fit and distribute them at local schools and community events. Providing helmets and properly fitting and distributing them is a direct Page 4 of 24 9/15/2025 7:39:02 AM