Fresno, California, experienced significant growth in the 1960s. As a major city in the Central Valley, cars were essential for getting around the city and connecting to nearby farms and towns. More vehicles on the streets and highways naturally meant car accidents were a regular concern during this decade.
Cars in the 1960s were evolving from the previous decade, but safety was still not the main focus of design. While some cars started offering seat belts, they were not standard early in the decade, and even when they were, many people did not use them. Other basic safety features like headrests were not common. Steering wheels and dashboards remained hazards in a sudden stop or crash.
Vehicle construction involved a lot of metal, which provided some protection but also meant that crash forces were transferred directly to the car’s occupants. There were no airbags or crumple zones designed to absorb energy. The way cars were built meant that collisions often resulted in significant damage and potential for serious injury.
Roads in and around Fresno in the 1960s included city streets and parts of the developing highway system. City streets had traffic lights and signs, but their design and traffic flow management were less sophisticated than today. Highways were being built or upgraded, but sections could be less safe with sharp curves or inadequate shoulders. The sheer volume of traffic was increasing on these roads as more people owned cars and traveled more often.
When car accidents happened in Fresno during the 1960s, the scene and response were different from what we see now. Emergency services were local and their response times could vary. Police officers from the Fresno Police Department or the California Highway Patrol responded to crashes, securing the area and directing traffic.
