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What is the role of the CHP in Ladera Ranch?

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) - Capistrano Area office covers a large unincorporated area, including Ladera Ranch, Rancho Mission Viejo, Las Flores, Trabuco Canyon, and Coto De Caza. 

The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of safety, service, and security to the people of California.  The main role of CHP in unincorporated areas is traffic safety, traffic enforcement, service, crime prevention, and community engagement. 

The CHP conducts regular proactive patrols to deter criminal activities and increase traffic safety by responding to incidents and emergencies. The CHP enforces traffic laws, conducts enforcement stops, investigates traffic-related incidents, ensures road safety, and monitors intersections. The CHP is continually focused on positive interactions with the community by participating in local community events, providing educational information, and fostering positive relationships with the residents.  We encourage our officers and residents to engage in communication and continually build relationships with each other.  

What issues should residents be aware of?

Issues that face the Ladera Ranch and Southern Orange County locations are impaired driving, bicycle and pedestrian safety, speed, distracted driving, and road rage type of incidents. Two that I’d like to highlight are Driving under the influence (DUI) and Bicycle/e-bikes. 

Driving with any impaired substance, including alcohol, cannabis, prescription medication, impairing over-the-counter medication, illicit drugs, or any combination, is illegal and will result in an arrest for DUI. Driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 percent or more is illegal. But even with a lower BAC, a driver may be a hazard and can be taken to jail.  

The CHP encourages residents to plan transportation ahead of time - designate a sober driver, use public transportation, call a taxi, or use a rideshare company. A DUI could cost someone their license, jail time, their life, or the life of another. While keeping the roadways safe is the mission of the CHP, the public plays a significant role in removing impaired drivers from the road. If someone observes an impaired driver, they can call 9-1-1. When speaking to an emergency operator, be prepared to provide your location, direction of travel, and a description of the vehicle on the road, but be sure to keep yourself safe. The emergency operator will provide the information to CHP officers in the field. 

Bicycles, especially e-bikes, have increased in popularity as a method of transportation for our younger generation, especially in Ladera Ranch and our surrounding communities. Motorists and those riding bicycle/e-bikes are encouraged to respect each other and share the responsibility of creating a safer roadway environment. It is important to understand bicycles/e-bikes have all the rights and responsibilities of a motor vehicle driver and are responsible for complying with the California Vehicle Code (CVC). 

The CHP will be conducting targeted enforcement and educational operations focusing on pedestrian and bicycle safety throughout the communities. It is important to remember to make sure everyone is wearing a helmet, you’re following the rules of the road, and you’re not carrying any unlawful passengers. With respect to our younger bicyclists/e-biker riders, parents are highly encouraged to be actively involved in educating their child regarding the responsibilities and dangers of sharing the road with motor vehicles. Through combined efforts by the CHP, allied partners, schools, and parents, we all play a role in ensuring the safety of our younger residents on bicycles/e-bikes.    

How can residents work with law enforcement to promote community safety?

The community plays a crucial role in promoting community safety and supporting the efforts of law enforcement. Residents are encouraged to report suspicious activity or behavior they observe to law enforcement. Prompt reporting can help prevent crimes, identify potential risks, and assist in investigations.  

The CHP has several avenues for the public to report incidents. These include dialing 9-1-1 for emergency incidents or dialing (949) 670-7030 for non-emergency incidents. 

Building a local neighborhood watch program can also promote community safety. Establishing a neighborhood watch program where residents work together to observe and report suspicious activities can serve as a proactive approach to crime prevention and foster a sense of community security.  

The CHP offers several public safety programs for the community to participate. These programs include Start Smart, for teens that are about to, or have already received, their driver’s permit, or recently obtained their driver’s license. CHP also offers a similar education class, Age Well, Drive Smart, for senior drivers. The CHP also provides bicycle rodeos to educate bicycle and e-bike safety. I encourage our community partners to contact the CHP Capistrano Area office for further information on these classes, locations, dates, and times. 

Describe the most important issue related to ebikes and public and rider safety.

The CHP promotes bicycle safety through bicycle safety booths at different events, talking with students at their schools, and holding bicycle safety rodeos, with the primary goal of educating children with the necessary skills and knowledge to ride their bicycles safely and confidently. 

Pedal bicycles and e-bikes are welcomed during the Department’s bicycle safety rodeos. It is important to understand that e-bikes and bicycles share the road with motor vehicles. Bicycles and e-bikes must follow all the same rules of the road as motor vehicles, such as stopping at stop signs and red lights, riding with the flow of traffic, riding closest to the right curb as possible, and riding in bike lanes when available.

It is important to wear helmets properly and ensure they are secured, as it is crucial for all bicycle and e-bike riders. Helmets provide protection in the event of a crash and can significantly reduce the risk of head injuries. Helmets are required for all riders and passengers under 18 years of age on Class 1 and Class 2 ebikes, and for all ages on Class 3 e-bikes. 

Ebikes are equipped with electric motors that provide varying levels of assistance, allowing riders to travel at higher speeds than traditional bicycles. Many e-bikes can reach speeds up to 28 mph or more, and riders need to be familiar with traffic laws, proper signaling, and defensive rider techniques. The increased speed can lead to a higher risk of accidents, especially if riders are not experienced or don’t follow the traffic rules. Many e-bike users travel with a passenger, but most e-bikes are not equipped with an additional seat for passengers. Passengers are not authorized to ride on the handlebars, pegs, or share a seat with the operator of the e-bike. 

Additionally, it is important to understand the law as MOPED / Motorized Bicycles with no pedals require the rider to be 16 years old and have a driver’s license. The CHP is observing an increase in these types of bicycles being operated unlawfully by juvenile riders in our communities. I recommend parents educate on the laws and requirements before purchasing these types of vehicles for children and engage with their local CHP office for assistance relating to requirements and education. Your local CHP Capistrano Area office can be reached at (949) 670-7030. 

How is the CHP empowered to handle the issues related to ebikes?

Ebikes have become very popular, especially in the South Orange County area. It is our goal to educate the public on e-bike laws, regulations, and classifications. The CHP will continue to conduct presentations for both e-bike riders and the community to promote safe and responsible e-bike usage. CHP officers have the authority to enforce traffic laws related to e-bikes, including right-of-way laws, unlawful passengers, and proper safety equipment requirements. This can involve conducting regular patrols, targeted enforcement operations, and issuing citations or warnings for violations.

The CHP has seen a positive impact through collaboration with our local schools. It is our goal to work with the school district in the area to address the concerns related to e-bikes.  The CHP will be working closely with the school district to provide safety presentations.

Did You Know?

The CHP Capistrano Area proudly serves the South Orange County region. The Area provides safety, service and security to motorists traveling through our picturesque coastal communities. The Area patrols Interstate 5, State Routes 73, 74, 133, and 241, as well as the unincorporated county roads in Ladera Ranch, Rancho Mission Viejo, and Trabuco Canyon. The Capistrano Area officers patrol nearly 800,000 miles per year and investigate more than 1,900 traffic collisions. 

Read article: Community Safety - It Takes a Village and Starts at Home