Right Column
Press Release
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
BUSINESS, TRANSPORTATION AND HOUSING AGENCY
OFFICE OF TRAFFIC SAFETY
7000 FRANKLIN BLVD., SUITE 440
SACRAMENTO, CA 95823-1899
(916) 262-0990
(800) 735-2929 (TT/TDD-Referral)
(916) 262-2960 (FAX)
GRAY DAVIS, GOVERNOR
MARIA CONTRERAS-SWEET, SECRETARY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 16, 2002
CONTACT:Steve Maviglio
(916) 445-4571
GOVERNOR DAVIS ANNOUNCES $3.9 MILLION FEDERAL AWARD
FOR EXPANDED CALIFORNIA SEATBELT CAMPAIGN
91.1 Percent of all Californians Now Buckling Up; Campaign Will Target Hardest to Reach Drivers
SACRAMENTO – Governor Gray Davis today announced that California has won a competitive bid to receive $3.9 million from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to expand innovative programs designed to save lives by increasing seat belt compliance.
"We are proud to have the highest seat belt use rate in the nation," Governor Davis said. "But even one preventable death is too much. This grant will help us expand ongoing efforts to remind all Californians that the simple act of putting on a seat belt saves lives."
California has the highest rate of seatbelt use in the nation, with 91.1 percent of all drivers buckling up. The California Highway Patrol (CHP), local law enforcement agencies, and the California Office of Traffic Safety have worked for years with local communities to raise awareness of the importance of seat belt and car seat use. In 2001, California was the only state in the country to earn the National Safety Council's "A" grade for seat belt and occupant protection compliance.
The federal award was awarded to California in response to an aggressive plan to target the remaining 8.9 percent of drivers that do not use seat belts. The grant will be administered through the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency through the Office of Traffic Safety and the CHP.
The funds will be used to expand California's seatbelt awareness campaign in three key areas: market research to determine groups that fall within the 8.9 percent of people who are not buckling up; a comprehensive public awareness campaign designed to convey to California's diverse communities the connection between buckling up and lives saved; and, increased private sector corporate partnerships to expand the reach of the campaign.
Governor Davis has directed approximately $1 million of the grant money to go toward 100 grant awards to local law enforcement agencies for seat belt use initiatives, administered through the Office of Traffic Safety.
###