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Press Release

GOVERNOR DAVIS ANNOUNCES $4.4 MILLION IN
TRAFFIC SAFETY GRANTS TO LOS ANGELES
Programs to Reach Underserved Communities in Southland

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gray Davis today awarded $4.4 million in traffic safety grants to the city and county of Los Angeles. More than 170 community-based organizations (CBOs) will receive funding to support a variety of traffic safety programs, including programs to increase awareness about driving under the influence, bicycle, pedestrian, and child passenger safety.

“California takes the safety of young passengers very seriously,” Governor Davis said. “It is critical that communities have the resources they need to educate the public about correct bicycle, pedestrian and child passenger safety practices. Although California continues to be a national traffic safety leader, too many of our children are still riding improperly seated in motor vehicles and without the proper safety equipment while on bicycles. Funding for these important traffic safety programs is another step in helping to create safer communities for all residents.”

The traffic safety grants to the city and county will focus on increasing use of bicycle helmets and child safety seats in the Los Angeles region. They will also be used to educate the public about the importance of the correct use of child safety seats.

The city of Los Angeles will receive $2.3 million in funding to implement a three-year traffic safety program that will include a wide range of traffic safety issues. The city’s 11 Family Development Networks, which encompass 100 CBOs, will implement the community-based Traffic Safety Education program on behalf of the city. The program, administered by the Community Development Department, will offer incentives such as vouchers for child safety seats and bicycle helmets.

The county will receive $2.1 million in grant funding, which will enable 50-70 local CBOs to provide traffic safety education services and safety devices to residents in low-income, culturally diverse communities throughout the county. The grant will also provide for traffic safety training for staff and educational classes for low-income residents. The program will be administered by the Department of Community and Senior Services.

The California Business, Transportation and Housing Agency will administer the grants through the Office of Traffic Safety. The $4.4 million includes a concentrated effort to educate the public about California’s new booster seat legislation, signed by Governor Davis, which takes full effect in January 2002. The law will require children up to six years of age or 60 pounds to ride properly fitted in a booster seat.

At a news briefing in Los Angeles’ Chicago Plaza, Business, Transportation and Housing Agency Secretary Maria Contreras-Sweet reminded Southland residents of the dangers of leaving children unattended in and around cars. “As California’s Secretary of Transportation, and as a mother, I want to let all parents and caregivers know about the dangers of leaving a child alone for just a few minutes while they run into a store to do an errand or return to their home. Any accident that happens because a child was left unattended in a vehicle can be prevented,” Secretary Contreras-Sweet said.

California recently earned the nation’s only “A” grade by the National Safety Council for the highest seat belt use-rate in the country. In February, California was graded the only “A” for its child occupant protection laws.

California has the highest child safety seat use rate in the nation at 92.6 percent, and also has the highest seat belt usage rate in the nation, at 88.9 percent. California was the first state to implement booster seat legislation.

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