Traffic Fines Near Schools May Be Doubled

A group of Los Angeles City Council members proposed Tuesday that the city double traffic fines in school zones and use the extra money to pay for pedestrian safety improvements around campuses.

The plan was part of a motion submitted to the City Council by members Wendy Greuel, Janice Hahn, Jack Weiss and Eric Garcetti, who noted that California ranks 12th nationally in pedestrian-vehicle fatalities.

“The combination of severe traffic congestion and negligent driving in and around Los Angeles schools have led to numerous traffic crashes involving child pedestrians and bicyclists,” said Greuel, who wrote the motion.