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Press Release

GOVERNOR DAVIS AWARDS $1.1 MILLION IN GRANTS
TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC SAFETY IN SOUTHERN BORDER REGION

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gray Davis today announced the award of 7 traffic safety grants totaling $1.1 million for communities in San Diego and Imperial counties. 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 San Diego and Imperial Counties grants, Governor Davis announced the award of 175 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 local organizations scheduled to receive funds. Grant amounts are in parentheses:

Coronado Police Department ($145,400) will develop and implement a DUI program focusing on education and enforcement efforts. Program activities will include a DUI enforcement team, sobriety checkpoints and traffic safety presentations to military, teens and the general public.

El Centro Police Department ($63,500) will conduct a DUI enforcement and education program aimed at reducing alcohol and non-alcohol related collisions as well as the number of pedestrians and bicyclists killed and injured in traffic collisions.

San Diego Police Department ($300,000) will address alcohol related traffic violations in the Pacific Beach area, known for the highest concentration of ABC-licensed establishments in the City. Project activities will include DUI-focused enforcement and sobriety checkpoints, the development of an educational campaign for service industry employees and increased enforcement of traffic, pedestrian and zero tolerance violations.

City of San Marcos ($30,900) will create an effective GIS-based Automated Collision and Citation Analysis and Tracking System in support of programs that reduce the frequency and severity of traffic collisions throughout the City. The grant will provide for the purchase of hardware and staff training.

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 Southern Border Region