Safety grant for Hwy 74 as roadway claims its first life this year

A deadly motorcycle accident on Highway 74 a reminder just how dangerous the winding road can be. There’s an effort to make the popular route to Idyllwild and San Diego safer.

This is the first deadly accident on the Palm-to-Pines highway this year, but there have also been 14 accidents. In all of them, according to California Highway Patrol records, someone was hurt. The most common cause of these accidents was driving too fast.

“It’s beautiful and kind of scary at the same time, because it’s such steep inclines around the curves, and you can’t really see what’s coming around the other side,” said Kim Barker.

William and Kim Barker are visiting from Indiana. This is their first trip on Highway 74.

“It’s got a couple of curves to it. Interesting highway, you have to keep your eyes on the road at all times,” said William Barker.

“We felt like we had to go fast because of the people coming up so fast behind us, and it’s a no pass lane,” said Kim Barker.

“When I feel someone is driving too fast and they are behind me, I look for the nearest turnout, and I step aside and let them go through,” said Masu Kazungu.

CHP says that’s exactly what drivers are supposed to do. In fact, drivers who have six or more cars behind them are required to pull over. More importantly, CHP says drivers need to slow down.

“The majority of the collisions that do occur are from unsafe speeds, drivers are driving too fast,” said CHP Officer Stephanie Hamilton.

Thursday evening Travis Glauser, 37, lost control of his motorcycle on a curve. He did not survive.

“I have driven this road many times, and I have had instances of not seeing the accident itself happening, but coming across an accident that has just happened,” said Kazungu.

News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 has learned CHP was awarded a grant by the California Office of Traffic Safety to increase patrols, public outreach and education efforts for the area. Caltrans has already made improvements to the road.

“They’ve installed what’s called a rumble strip in the center, where the double yellow lines are to warn just to give drivers that extra noticed that hey you are getting over the line,” said Hamilton.

Drivers have noticed the strip.

“Even when I was thinking I was watching the road pretty good still hitting the center divider simply because it curves a lot. Very scenic, very pretty, but trying to take it in and keeping it in the lane it’s easy to hit the center divider. It’s a good idea,” said William Baker.

“They’ve installed additional guardrail. They’ve repaved the roadway. It’s just a wining road, it is what it is. Drivers need to realize basically we say that speed kills. You need to slow down,” said Hamilton.

“I don’t think it’s the roads fault it’s definitely the driver’s. If everybody would just slow down, it would be a very safe road,” said Kazungu.

CHP said not only to watch your speed but also wear your seat belt. It can make the difference between surviving an accident or not.