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Press Release

GOVERNOR DAVIS AWARDS $1.6 MILLION IN GRANTS
TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC SAFETY IN INLAND EMPIRE

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gray Davis today announced the award of 16 traffic safety grants totaling $1.6 million for Inland Empire communities. The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) will administer the grants through the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency to help improve and resolve traffic safety related issues on area streets and highways.

"California continues to raise the bar on traffic safety, particularly when it comes to the use of seat belts and child safety seats," Governor Davis said. "Funding for these comprehensive traffic safety programs will enable California to maintain that momentum as well as address those traffic safety issues that continue to be a challenge in a state as large and diverse as California."

In addition to the Inland Empire grants, Governor Davis announced the award of 166 other grants across California, totaling $30.3 million statewide.

The newly funded grants include occupant protection, alcohol and other drugs, emergency medical services, police traffic services, bicycle/pedestrian education programs, traffic records, roadway safety, and outreach to community-based organizations throughout California.

As alcohol-related injuries and fatalities in California increased by four percent between 1999 and 2000, the funding includes a concentrated effort among numerous grants to deter impaired driving. Programs will also include an emphasis on improving California's already impressive occupant protection record.

"Although California enjoys one of the nation's highest seat belt use rate at 91.1 percent, as well as the highest child safety seat use rate at 87.6 percent, that doesn't mean it's time to lessen our efforts in this area," stated Governor Davis. "By doing even better, we can prevent the loss of life and prevent injuries."

Following are selected examples of local organizations scheduled to receive funds. (Please see attachment for a complete listing of Inland Empire grants). Grant amounts are in parentheses:

San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, Victorville City Station ($250,000) will conduct "Avoid the 10," a collaborative effort among 10 law enforcement agencies to interdict impaired drivers and serious violators throughout the high desert and mountain areas of San Bernardino County. Activities will include DUI checkpoints, DUI saturation patrols and an aggressive media campaign.

San Bernardino County Public Health ($200,000) will conduct a program aimed at reducing injuries and fatalities of vehicle occupants under nine years of age through child passenger safety and booster seat education classes for parents, fitting stations, presentations at schools and training for a NHTSA-certified Child Passenger Safety instructor.

Moreno Valley Fire Services ($40,000) will purchase extrication equipment to enhance EMS response times by quickly extricating traffic victims.

Colton Police Department ($20,000) will help reduce pedestrian involved fatal and injury traffic collisions through the use of lighted crosswalk technology, presentations to elementary schools and enforcement operations targeting hazardous driver and pedestrian behavior.

Note to editors and assignment desks: For further information regarding OTS grants and programs, contact Marilyn Sabin, Assistant Director of Operations, at (916) 262-2978, or, (916) 798-6065. Visit the OTS Web site at www.ots.ca.gov.

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Regional Grant: 2003 Traffic Safety Grant Awards to Inland Empire