Long Beach Sees Highest Fatal Car Crashes in a Decade

City leaders demand answers as only 17 of 220 requested traffic calming projects were approved.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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A memo revealed that Long Beach recorded 53 fatal car crashes in 2025, the highest number in over a decade. City councilmembers are now pushing for firm deadlines on traffic studies and regular progress updates, as well as more transparency on how decisions are made about areas with high traffic incident rates.

Why it matters

The high number of fatal crashes in Long Beach has raised concerns about public safety and the city's response to residents' requests for traffic calming measures. The issue has become a political priority, with city leaders seeking to address the problem and hold the city accountable.

The details

The memo showed that only 17 of 220 requested traffic calming projects were approved for quick action. City Councilmembers Cindy Allen, Megan Kerr, and Mary Zendejas are now proposing firm deadlines for traffic studies and regular progress updates. They say residents were not given clear explanations when their requests were denied. The push for change comes after a recent multi-vehicle crash involving an RV near Atlantic Avenue and Market Street, an area that residents say is a "hot spot" for accidents.

  • In 2025, Long Beach recorded 53 fatal car crashes, the highest number in more than a decade.
  • At the end of 2026, the speed limit on Ocean Boulevard will be lowered to 25 mph and speed cameras will be installed.

The players

Cindy Allen

A Long Beach City Councilmember who was formerly part of the Long Beach Police Department.

Megan Kerr

A Long Beach City Councilmember.

Mary Zendejas

A Long Beach City Councilmember.

Noel Barragas

A resident of the area near Atlantic Avenue and Market Street, which has experienced multiple car crashes.

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What they’re saying

“We're demanding explanation. If you have over 220 requests for traffic calming measures and only 17 get enacted, it seems very low to me.”

— Cindy Allen, Long Beach City Councilmember (nbclosangeles.com)

“People are crazy, the way they're driving. Not following the rules, not obeying the rules of the road and so we're going to need PD to play a part in this, too, with enforcement.”

— Cindy Allen, Long Beach City Councilmember (nbclosangeles.com)

“It's not a safe street, it's a hot spot. It happened about three months ago with an eight-car accident at about 1 in the morning.”

— Noel Barragas, Resident (nbclosangeles.com)

What’s next

As part of an effort to make so-called hot spots safer, Allen said Ocean Boulevard's speed limit will be lowered to 25 mph at the end of the year. Speed cameras will also be installed on the road.

The takeaway

The high number of fatal crashes in Long Beach has become a political issue, with city leaders pushing for more transparency and accountability in the city's response to traffic safety concerns. The push for change highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing public safety, infrastructure investments, and community priorities in urban areas.