EPD Gets $60,000 Grant for Traffic Safety Program

Information from the Eureka Police:

California Office of Traffic SafetyEureka Police Department has been awarded a $60,000.00 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.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with the California Office of Traffic Safety this year in mutual support of our ongoing commitment to keep our city’s roadways safe,” said Eureka Police Chief Steve Watson. “Proactive enforcement and education activities, made possible through grants like this, are vital components to EPD’s traffic safety efforts.”

The grant from OTS will fund various education and enforcement activities for the 2019 federal fiscal year (Oct. 1, 2018 to Sept. 30, 2019):
• DUI checkpoints and saturation patrols to take suspected alcohol/drug-impaired drivers – and those unlicensed or with a revoked/suspended license – off the road.
• Distracted Driving enforcement.
• Patrols at intersections with increased incidents of pedestrian and bike collisions.
• Checking for seatbelt and child safety seat compliance.
• Motorcycle safety operations in areas with high rider volume and where higher rate of motorcycle crashes occur.
• Speeding, red light and stop sign enforcement.
• Warrant service operations targeting multiple DUI offenders.
• Compilation of DUI “Hot Sheets” identifying repeat 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.

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Renaissance1
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Renaissance1
5 years ago

Best news I’ve heard, Eureka is so dangerous to drive in, now maybe people will slow down, quit running stop lights and stop signs and quit texting and talking on the phone when they’re driving.

A
Guest
A
5 years ago
Reply to  Renaissance1

Renaissance1, well said.

Rebel Yell
Guest
Rebel Yell
5 years ago

How about actually enforcing existing laws??? Bikes on the sidewalk. They are supposed to be cited for that! Yesterday I saw an old lady roll through TWO stop signs and then park in two spaces. Why is she even on the road??

Mike
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Mike
5 years ago

How about they stop the tweakers from turning Main Street into a modern version of frogger.

Orange Sunshine
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Orange Sunshine
5 years ago

I don’t know why, but it sure seems like more drivers are running red lights and merely slowing down at stop signs while making right turns. It would help if people just slowed down; even law enforcement is guilty of many bad driving behaviors. This is especially true for the Sheriff’s department. Almost every day I see deputies speeding, tailgating, failing to signal for turns, and or not fully stopping at stop signs. Perhaps the leaders of the various departments could show some initiative and crack down on their subordinates.

guest
Guest
guest
5 years ago

Just yesterday I had three people slowing down a bit for a stop sign then speed up without stopping when they saw I was close enough that they would have actually had to stop for real if they didn’t hurry through. None of them were police.

Emma
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Emma
5 years ago

I’m glad there will be money spent on traffic law enforcement until they can find a cure for stupid.

A
Guest
A
5 years ago

Well needed, people drive crazy fast around here, dangerous.