Local law enforcement prepares to clamp down on Car Week bad behavior.

This may be Carmel Interim Police Chief Todd Trayer’s first Car Week – he only took over the position on Aug. 5 – but he’s ready for the influx of devotees that descend on the village each year in search of exotic autos. Trayer had veteran officers drive him through the village on a reconnaissance mission and came away with ideas to add on to what the city has already done to discourage dangerous driving antics.

“We are repeating a similar pattern as last year with a few of my tweaks that I think will keep it safer for pedestrians,” Trayer says.

In addition to adding speed bumps and barriers to Ocean Avenue as was done in 2024, they are adding bollards to alter directions of streets, as well as additional patrol vehicles and posting tow trucks closer to the action to quickly whisk away impounded cars.

In a city survey of residents last fall, many praised the barriers on Ocean Avenue, along with other enforcement efforts, citing an improvement in tamping down problems. Some said there was room for refinements.

“They were somewhat effective at preventing and calming reckless driving in the business district,” wrote one person, who added that too many drivers did not adhere to stop signs and speed limits. They called exotic cars “too noisy and reckless.”

One resident complained about the rowdy crowds. “Having Ocean Avenue become the equivalent of a college town Halloween party is really unacceptable,” they wrote.

Some mentioned that they noticed that troublesome driving moved to Rio Road where it’s easy to gain speed coming down a hill heading eastbound toward Highway 1. Trayer says they’ll have a visible presence on that road this year.

“We’re going to have all hands on deck, with high visibility,” Trayer says.

In Monterey, where drivers of high-performance cars have been known to race through the tunnel on Lighthouse Avenue at speeds of 100mph and higher, Lt. Ethan Andrews says the Monterey Police Department is planning a “massive presence” around the city, building from Wednesday, Aug. 13 through Sunday, Aug. 17.

Last year MPD reported making 251 traffic stops, issuing 165 citations, towing five cars and making 18 arrests. The numbers were slightly down from 2023, except for arrests, which went up by eight.

“We will have essentially the same staffing model and the same zero tolerance for unsafe driving,” Andrews says.

MPD will be focusing on speeding, reckless driving, speed contests and equipment violations, including modified exhaust pipes, unlawful lighting and illegal smog modifications.

“It’s not a good time to come to Monterey if your vehicle has any illegal modifications,” Andrews says. And as usual, officers will be posted at the tunnel. “You’d think they’d figure it out. It’s not a secret,” he adds.

Social media has brought new enthusiasts and new challenges, as people arrive to show off exotic autos, sometimes leading to dangerous maneuvers for the benefit of a bevvy of cameras ready to post to the internet.

“Car Week is obviously such a popular event where people come from all over the world,” Trayer says. “It’s a beautiful event, as long as people are safe.”