Many local agencies will now have additional resources to help prevent traffic-related deaths and injuries.
San Diego-area law enforcement agencies received Traffic Safety Grants to conduct a year-long special enforcement and public awareness program to prevent traffic-related deaths and injuries Wednesday. The grants came from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS).
"Overall, California's roadways are among the safest in the nation," said OTS Director Rhonda Craft in a statement. "But to meet future mobility, safety, and accessible transportation objectives, we have to reverse this recent trend in order to reach our common goal - zero deaths on our roadways. The Office of Traffic Safety and these law enforcement and municipal agencies want to work with everyone to create a culture of traffic safety across San Diego and the state."
Traffic-related fatalities fell between 2006 and 2010, officials said at the press conference, but since then have slowly been rising. Pedestrian and bicycle fatalities have grown in recent years.
It is unclear how exactly the money will be spent, but it will go towards efforts at stopping drunk driving, speeding and crashing at intersections, among other issue areas.
The San Diego Police Department, San Diego County Sheriff's Department, San Diego County Probation, Chula Vista Fire Department, Chula Vista Police Department, National City Police Department, La Mesa Police Department and Escondido Police Department all received grants.
