Los Angeles voters approve 'Safe Streets' Measure HLA

Voters in Los Angeles have elected to approve Measure HLA, a highly debated initiative that would require the city to make roads and walkways safer from deadly car crashes. 

The measure passed by a margin of 63 percent to 37 percent. 

Measure HLA, also known as Healthy Streets L.A., will implement Mobility Plan 2035, which calls for additional safety measures on city streets like widening sidewalks, installing protected bike lanes and adding road elements to prevent speeding. 

Many L.A. city councilmembers were in favor of the measure, saying that streets are becoming more dangerous for pedestrians each year; in 2023 alone, 337 people were killed in crashes – a record high for one year – while a further 1,559 people were severely injured.  

Car collisions are also the leading cause of death for children in L.A., the Los Angeles Times reported. 

Those against the initiative included local firefighters, who said that the measure would make it less safe for emergency vehicles to navigate already congested L.A. streets. 

Small businesses would be impacted as well, firefighters said at a February news conference, due to the measure taking away parking spaces. 

Other critics of Measure HLA cited concerns over cost; Los Angeles City Administrative Officer Matt Szabo told the L.A. Times that it would cost the city $3.1 billion over the next 10 years “without delivering additional transportation funds.”

The only state legislative issue on the ballot this March was Proposition 1, which would overhaul California’s behavioral health services program.

As of 7 a.m. Wednesday, the race was deadlocked at 50 percent each, with “Yes” votes holding a slight advantage. 

Click here to view more California Primary Election results.