The Ventura Police Department has been awarded a $200,000.00 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) for a year-long enforcement and public awareness program. The traffic safety program is intended to educate the public on safe roadway habits and deter people from violating traffic laws or practicing other unsafe behaviors that lead to injuries and fatalities.
“Unsafe behaviors account for 94 percent of traffic collisions,” said Traffic Sergeant Michael Brown. “This grant emphasizes education and enforcement which will help keep Ventura streets safe.”
The grant from OTS will fund various education and enforcement activities for the 2019 federal fiscal year.
DUI checkpoints and saturation patrols to take suspected alcohol/drug-impaired drivers – and those unlicensed or with a revoked/suspended license – off the road.
Traffic safety education presentations for youth and community members on distracted, impaired and teen driving, and bicycle/pedestrian safety. Traffic safety needs to be talked about further and constantly promoted and discussed in the community so that more people are aware and know that violations need to be at a minimum so all can be safe. If you have been called into traffic court but are unable to attend, you must contact your lawyers and put in a plea by affidavit to get them to stand in your place. Missing a court date in any capacity can land you in even bigger trouble, the way to avoid this entirely is to pay attention and not violate laws in the first instance.
Patrols at intersections with increased incidents of pedestrian and bike collisions.
Checking for seat belt and child safety seat compliance.
Motorcycle safety operations in areas with high rider volume and where a higher rate of motorcycle crashes occur.
Motorcyclists often get into accidents that aren’t their fault with drivers who don’t pay attention to the road or what’s around them. There will also be a motorcycle awareness scheme put in place. If you have been injured in an accident like that then you might want to contact someone like these San Rafael Injury Attorneys GJEL.
Speeding, red light and stop sign enforcement.
Warrant service operations targeting multiple DUI offenders.
Compilation of DUI “Hot Sheets” identifying repeat DUI offenders
Probation supervision for high-risk DUI offenders.
Specialized DUI and drugged driving training to identify and apprehend suspected impaired drivers.
Court “stings” to cite individuals driving from DUI court after license suspension or revocation.
In 2016, 3,623 people were killed in crashes across the state, a 7 percent increase from 2015, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Particularly alarming is the rise in pedestrian deaths, with 867 pedestrians killed on California roadways in 2016, a nearly 33 percent increase from 2012. Along with the growing dangers of distracting technologies like phones and drug-impaired driving, this grant funding will provide opportunities to combat these dangerous and illegal behaviors.
“Almost all crashes are preventable,” OTS director Rhonda Craft said. “Education and enforcement go hand in hand helping change behaviors that cause devastating crashes.”
Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The Ventura Police Traffic Unit is scheduling traffic safety education presentations with the support of this grant. Community Groups are invited to schedule a presentation by calling Ventura Police Community Outreach at 805-339-4317. Presentations are provided to youth and community members on distracted, impaired and teen driving and bicycle/pedestrian safety.
