Only on ABC7 News.com: Rise in Golden Gate Bridge Toll Plaza accidents

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Recent changes made at the Golden Gate Bridge Toll Plaza may be related to a rise in accidents.

In a story you'll see Only on ABC7 News, there's more than a five times increase in reported incidents at the toll plaza compared with the same period last year. The bridge district says the key word is "reported".

The increase may be related to the recent changes made at the toll plaza and on the bridge itself with the new moveable barrier. It may make drivers feel so safe that they are now speeding through the toll plaza. There are reports of drivers going 50 MPH through the narrow auto toll gates at the Golden Gate.

Friday marked accident number 29.

John Wilson from Portland, Oregon would describe it as the ruined front end of his recreational vehicle, and now a really bad day on the Golden Gate Bridge.

"Totally surprised," said Wilson.

Surprised, not by the by the number, but the barrier he hit while going through the Toll Plaza Friday morning.

He's the 29th driver to report such a collision. 29 collisions in 46 days since Jan. 12.

During the same period last year, the district recorded only five impacts.

"The theory is that here are not any more collisions than we had before. But the damage to vehicles is more severe," said Captain Lisa Locati, Golden Gate Bridge police.

Captain Locati noted that the new barriers comply with federal regulations. They're no wider than the previous ones, but tougher on cars, and tougher to repair.

The district has spent $187,000 on parts and labor since Jan. 12. That's money it plans to get back from drivers who hit these barriers.

ABC7 News asked, "Can you can look at this and honestly say it is a better system than the old system?"

"It is a legal system. The other was not compliant," said Captain Locati.

Both the district and California Highway Patrol cite speed as a factor.

When Wilson hit the barrier Friday morning, he says was going only four miles an hour. But in a narrower, inside lane.

As the remedy, the bridge has added white channelizers, as they call them, and also these signs for wider loads.

Wilson says he missed those signs while consulting his GPS. So he blames himself for not paying attention.

He's one story among 29 since mid January.