(09:10) Santa Cruz County – California Highway Patrol reported that the number of traffic crashes on Highway 17 rose last year. The increase in crashes is due people on their cell phones, an increase in traffic and driving too fast for weather conditions. There were 664 collisions in 2015 and 983 in 2016. Although there has been a significant increase in collisions, injuries and fatalities have not risen. In 2015 there were 187 injuries and in 2016 the number dropped to 126. In an effort to reduce collisions, injuries and fatalities a long term plan is underway. The $40 million plan will include a ban on left turns, to make roadside changes and build interchanges at places like Vine Hill Road.
