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Press Release

GOVERNOR DAVIS AWARDS $1.8 MILLION IN GRANTS
TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC SAFETY IN CENTRAL CALIFORNIA

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gray Davis today announced the award of 21 new traffic safety grants totaling $1.8 million for Central California area communities. The grants, administered by the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency, will include increased detection of alcohol and drug-impaired drivers, police traffic services, and pedestrian and bicycle safety programs.

“ California is building upon past successes that local traffic safety practitioners have had in keeping our roadways safe,” Governor Davis said. “Safety for Californians is our No. 1 concern.”

In addition to the Central California grants, Governor Davis announced the award of 180 other traffic safety grants across California, totaling $35.2 million statewide.

A major element of the FFY 2004 grants is Alcohol and Other Drugs, designed to encourage stepped-up enforcement and education of state DUI laws. Seventy-three grantees will share more than $15 million in funding for one or more of the following initiatives: increased statewide sobriety checkpoints, warrant service patrols for multiple DUI offenders, “live” DUI trials at local high schools, “reality check” student press conferences and “Every 15 Minutes” programs.

“We want to maximize the potential for life-saving results by funding programs that address California’s greatest traffic safety challenges, ” stated Governor Davis. “All of these programs support the same goal — to prevent injuries and the loss of life.”

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

San Joaquin County District Attorneys’ Office ($207,296) will conduct a DUI Prosecutor Training and Education Program to help improve the competence of DUI prosecutors through specialized training. The program will provide support for numerous regional and statewide trainings, the development of presentation materials for DUI trials and resources for various law enforcement agency training programs.

Madera County Public Health Department ($67,362) will coordinate the Madera County Child Passenger Safety Program in an effort to reduce fatalities and injuries for children under age six and reduce the misuse rate of child safety seats. The grant will support the establishment of a “fitting station” to assist parents and caregivers with proper installation of safety seats, as well as provide training for bilingual staff in an effort to reach the area’s large Spanish speaking population.

Modesto Traffic Division ($60,000) will install four lighted crosswalks over a two-year period in areas with high incidents of pedestrian injuries. The city has established criteria for prioritizing potential locations and will work with area schools to help determine locations to receive the lighted crosswalks.

Regional Grant: 2003 Traffic Safety Grant Awards to Central California

 

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