Recent Storms Act as Reminder of Road Safety

Laurie Morse considers herself one of the lucky ones.

While driving from Ventura to her job in Santa Barbara on Jan. 10, Morse came to a standstill on northbound U.S. 101 after an early morning mudslide covered the roadway.

Sitting in her 2003 Honda Civic, Morse said, she suddenly “heard a loud rumbling noise” and turned to see about 8 feet of sodden hillside headed directly for her. She tried to accelerate and change lanes to avoid this second slide just north of La Conchita, but it was too late.

“My car wouldn’t move. It started sliding toward the center divider,” she said. “I didn’t have any control.”

The oozing flow blocked her attempt to open her door, so Morse rolled down the window and climbed out into waist-deep mud. She made her way to the edge of opposing traffic and waved frantically until a southbound motorist stopped and gave her a lift back to Ventura.

Before long, mud blanketed both sides of the freeway, and four days of heavy rains caused the Ventura River to overflow and trap more than 150 vehicles on the freeway, said California Highway Patrol Officer James Gasch.

“It was pretty intense out there” for several hours, Gasch said. The freeway remained closed for four days.

This all occurred about seven hours before a 600-foot hill on the eastern edge of La Conchita gave way, dropping more than 400,000 tons of dirt, rock and debris on the coastal hamlet, killing 10 people, destroying 13 homes and leaving two dozen dwellings uninhabitable.

All things considered, Morse was fortunate. In the 48 hours before her car got stuck, at least half a dozen people died in vehicle accidents linked to the rain. The victims included a 21-year-old Rancho Dominguez man whose SUV skidded in a muddy patch on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu before plunging into the Pacific Ocean, and 2-year-old Jamaia Davis, who was swept away by floodwaters in Palmdale as a rescue helicopter lifted her mother, brother and sister to safety from their partially submerged vehicle.

Wet roads can be deadly. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said rain was present during 697,000 vehicle crashes in 2003 -- the most recent figures available -- resulting in 314,000 injuries and 3,271 deaths. In California, 7,347 injury collisions and 99 fatal crashes occurred during rain in 2003, according to the CHP.

Although Southern California has had nearly two weeks to dry out, more wet weather could arrive later this week.

Law enforcement officials recommend not driving during heavy storms whenever possible. When it can’t be avoided, they suggest that drivers leave early to allow extra travel time, brake slowly to avoid skidding, keep headlights on whenever wipers are in use, obey all warnings of flood conditions and, above all, reduce their speed.

“People don’t seem to slow down,” said Sgt. Troy Lukkes of the CHP’s Southern Division office in Glendale. “Just because the speed is posted at 55 or 65 doesn’t mean it’s safe to go that fast.”

Vehicles should be checked to ensure that wipers and defrosters work, tires have sufficient tread and are inflated correctly and that there’s enough fuel to accommodate traffic delays.

Potholes are a danger after rainstorms. About 1,200 potholes in the city of Los Angeles needed repair after the recent storms. Drivers should monitor television and radio broadcasts about weather and road conditions. To check on street closures, go to the Department of Public Works’ website at www.ladpw.org, which includes links for city and state highway closure information. Or call the Caltrans highway information line at (800) 427-7623.

When there are closures, drivers should use alternate routes and steer clear of areas prone to flooding, said Jeff Spring, a spokesman for the Automobile Club of Southern California. He also recommended that drivers notify others of their travel plans.

“Even if you’re taking a short trip, let somebody know where you’re going and when you’re expected back,” Spring said. “So if you don’t return, someone would know.”

Just as California homeowners are encouraged to have emergency supplies on hand in the event of earthquakes, the Auto Club suggests preparing for unexpected problems on the road.

Among the items to include in a mobile emergency kit are:

* A cellphone or two-way radio;

* A first-aid kit and manual;

* A flashlight and batteries;

* An AM-FM transistor radio and batteries;

* A waterproof poncho or other rain gear;

* Extra clothes and a sturdy pair of shoes;

* Bottled water;

* Nonperishable food, such as trail mix and energy bars;

* Maps;

* Jumper cables;

* Work gloves;

* Light sticks and road flares;

* Blankets or sleeping bags;

* Tissues and pre-moistened towels;

* Prescription medication for up to three days;

* And tire chains when traveling in snowy areas.

“People usually expect they’ll be home when a disaster strikes and don’t think very much about being in their car,” said Carol Becker of the American Red Cross.

Morse had no emergency supplies with her when the mudslide occurred, but she said such items would have been helpful. Still skittish after the accident, which damaged her car’s electrical system, Morse said she will probably carpool with her boyfriend if it rains this week.

Selene Rodriguez, 19, of Canoga Park was glad to have a Red Cross emergency kit in the trunk when her car overheated on the Ventura Freeway last week. Though road conditions were dry, the mishap occurred after dark.

The Pierce College student was returning from a visit with family in Glendale and had to pull her car to the shoulder after the engine started smoking.

She pulled out the kit’s flashlight and determined the radiator fluid level was low.

Using a container of water she carried with her, she refilled the radiator and made it home.