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Press Release

GOVERNOR DAVIS AWARDS $2.4 MILLION IN GRANTS
TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC SAFETY IN SOUTHERN BORDER REGION

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gray Davis today announced the award of 14 new traffic safety grants totaling $2.4 million for the southern border region of San Diego and Imperial counties. 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 Southern Border region grants, Governor Davis announced the award of 187 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 Southern Border region grants). Grant amounts are in parentheses:

El Centro Police Department ($100,000) will host the Avoid the 5 campaign in Imperial County. The campaign will include a crackdown on intoxicated drivers over the winter, Memorial Day and Labor Day holiday weekends. The collaborative effort will join five law enforcement agencies across jurisdictional lines to help reduce alcohol-involved traffic crashes, increase DUI arrests and educate the public on the dangers of impaired driving.

San Diego Police Department ($250,000) will address teen and young adult-involved DUI collisions through the DUI PACE Care Program. In cooperation with the Pacific Safety Council, the San Diego Police Department will provide young adults with first hand experience and education essential to becoming a safe driver. The program will utilize a golf cart driving course navigated by students wearing fatal vision goggles.

San Diego Police Department ($700,000) will also operate the Drag-Net program, providing training in San Diego County and throughout California to aid communities in implementing illegal street racing enforcement programs. The Drag-Net team will also conduct investigations, enforcement and training with the goal of curbing illegal street racing.

Regional Grant: 2003 Traffic Safety Grant Awards to Southern Border Region

 

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