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Press Release

DAVIS ADMINISTRATION DISTRIBUTED $89.1 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS
FOR TRAFFIC SAFETY GRANTS IN 2002

SACRAMENTO – More than $89 million in federal funds were distributed to state and local agencies through California's Office of Traffic Safety for traffic safety programs in 2002, the Davis Administration announced today. The programs included efforts to combat driving under the influence, child passenger safety, pedestrian and bicycle safety, traffic records automation, enhanced emergency medical services, and police traffic services.

"We have provided traffic safety professionals with the support to save lives and reduce injuries on our roads and highways," said Governor Davis.

The Office of Traffic Safety provides significant funding for hundreds of traffic safety programs in regional and local communities that guarantee a safer environment for all drivers, passengers, pedestrians and bicyclists.

In 2002, a total of 437 grants received $46.5 million in federal funds for programs earmarked for the benefit of cities and counties. The grantees implemented critical enforcement, education and awareness building programs to reduce high-risk driving behavior and increase compliance with traffic safety laws.

An outreach program to provide funding to community-based organizations (CBOs) was continued in 2002. CBOs take traffic safety messages directly to the communities they serve, which are often those most at risk. CBOs receive funding for bicycle and pedestrian safety and child passenger safety.

Local law enforcement departments received more than $13.4 million in federal funds for 160 grant programs ranging from DUI prevention to seat belt campaigns to improve upon California's already impressive traffic safety record. This year, MADD gave California the nation's highest grade for the second straight reporting period in their "Rating of the States" report card.

One hundred one (101) traffic safety grants totaling $17.5 million in federal funds were awarded to local organizations to implement child passenger safety education programs, occupant protection awareness campaigns and bicycle safety events. This year, those efforts included educating the public about California's booster seat legislation, signed by Governor Davis, which took effect January 1, 2002. The law requires that children be secured in an appropriate child passenger restraint system (safety seat or booster seat) until they are at least six years old or weigh 60 pounds. California has the second highest seat belt use rate in the nation at 91.1 percent and was one of the first states to implement booster seat legislation.

 

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