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Press Release

GOVERNOR DAVIS AWARDS $3.6 MILLION IN GRANTS
TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC SAFETY IN INLAND EMPIRE

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gray Davis today announced the award of 30 new traffic safety grants totaling $3.6 million for Inland Empire 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 Inland Empire grants, Governor Davis announced the award of 171 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 Inland Empire grants). Grant amounts are in parentheses:

Perris Police Department ($400,000) will oversee the Avoid the 30 DUI Task Force of Riverside County, comprised of 30 area law enforcement agencies including the California Highway Patrol and Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. The collaborative program will conduct a two-year enforcement and education effort to alert the public that impaired driving and non-use of seat belts will not be tolerated. The grant will support 14 saturation patrols, a minimum of eight DUI checkpoints, one countywide DUI-related warrant sweep and a television advertising campaign.

Victorville Police Department ($300,000) will expand the current Avoid the 11 program, continuing to serve as the host agency for the collaborative effort. The new Avoid the 25 DUI Program of San Bernardino County will utilize enforcement, public education and advertising to help reduce traffic collisions and subsequent injuries and fatalities. Avoid the 25 will also include a comprehensive DUI and seat belt safety program with a concentrated effort within the City of Victorville to reduce DUI-related collisions and increase seat belt use.

Riverside County Fire Department ($26,000) will purchase emergency rescue equipment for the
El Cariso Fire Company to assist in the treatment of traffic collision victims in order to improve the likelihood of survival and recovery from the serious and frequent crashes occurring on State
Route 74.

Regional Grant: 2003 Traffic Safety Grant Awards to Inland Empire

 

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