GUSTINE — A targeted traffic enforcement operation conducted Thursday, Oct. 1, led to 33 citations as Gustine police focused on speeding, stop‑sign violations and other hazardous driving behaviors on the Westside, the department announced on its Facebook page.
The operation comes amid persistently high crash and fatality numbers statewide. California has recorded 8,091 traffic deaths since January 2024, according to the California Crash Records System maintained by the California Highway Patrol. Speed remains the leading factor in fatal crashes, contributing to roughly 35% to 40% of traffic deaths each year, CHP data show.
National estimates also point to worsening trends. The National Safety Council reported that California saw a 14% increase in motor‑vehicle deaths in the first half of 2026, amounting to 178 additional fatalities compared to the same period the year before…