Have you seen vibrant rainbow-colored discs at intersections while driving through Los Angeles? What seems like a gorgeous art installation is actually a reminder of what could have been true, had some drivers followed road safety rules.
These rainbow halos are an initiative by the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT), the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA), and SoCal Families for Safe Streets to remember people who have died in tragic road accidents. The plaques that accompany the Halos are also a heart-breaking reminder of what a minor mistake on the road can result in.
From negligent construction companies to corrupt contractors and drunk drivers, there can be several reasons behind the loss of life that occurs in road accidents. And it’s not about Los Angeles alone. In the pre-Covid era, in 2019, the State of California alone reported an increase in road crash fatalities to 3,540.
Some who survived the crashes were left struggling with legal troubles from powerful lawyers of the corrupt. This makes having good
attorneys for car crash victims all the more important to ensure maximum pressure on the perpetrators to compensate for damage to property and injuries.
Here we discuss the initiative, how it can minimize the risk of accidents, and
what to do if you have had an accident.
What are Rainbow Halos?
Artist John Morse has designed an art piece that will memorialize car crash victims and spread awareness for reducing car crashes. LADOT and DCA are behind the initiative, which includes a plaque displaying the significance of the Halos.
100 Rainbow Halos have been installed across Los Angeles streets on sites of crashes where victims died. The Halos will also draw attention to the rising number of accidents and how taking some necessary precautions can prevent them.
What does the Rainbow Halo include?
The Rainbow Halo consists of a large portrait of the road crash victim in the front of a multi-colored disc hanging on the street pole. When the sun shines, the rainbow-colored disc casts an attention-grabbing multi-colored shadow visible to those passing the intersection.
A plaque placed behind the lights contains accident details and what could have been done to prevent it. It includes Halo's significance and aims to develop a sense of responsibility in avoiding future crashes.
The significance of Rainbow Halos
The Labor Day weekend saw the first Rainbow Halo installation, followed by 99 more throughout Los Angeles. While honoring the lives of those who have died in unfortunate car crashes is essential, and friends and family appreciate it, the primary significance lies in spreading the importance of traffic safety.
A small initiative like this can instil a sense of responsibility in reckless drivers. Rainbow Halos are a part of the more significant project called Vision Zero, under which the Mayor of Los Angeles aims to reduce the count of deaths to nearly 0 by the end of 2025.
The mission includes a host of small initiatives to spread awareness on traffic safety and sharing methods to eliminate preventable accidents.
How is Vision Zero progressing?
Plans like Vision Zero have seen high success rates in the city of New York. The method first came into existence in Sweden, which has reported great success in reducing the crash death rate. The technique, however, hasn’t been very effective in Los Angeles, where a one-third rise in accidents has been reported in the last three years.
Instead of poor road design and inadequate safety features, high speeds and irresponsible driving are the major reasons for the rising accident rates in cities like Los Angeles. Cars dominate the streets, which measure over 7500 miles.
Hence, spreading awareness about remaining within speed limits and avoiding drunk driving seem to be the methods that can prove effective.
What if the damage has been done?
Suppose you’ve lost a loved one or endured severe injuries due to unsafe driving. In that case, law firm attorneys can already help you minimize the long-term consequences. While it’s not possible to bring back life, having a specialist lawyer can get you compensation for your losses.
At times, you may land into legal trouble even when you have endured
injury and damage. To avoid that and make your case as strong as possible, you should contact a law firm specializing in road accident recovery.
You can get massive amounts of compensation if you choose the right attorney. Feel free to contact us for a free consultation and advice on dealing with legal issues related to road accidents.