The Grant Program Is Set to Run Until September 2024
The Santa Monica Police Department has been awarded a $306,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety to bolster efforts in enforcing and educating the public, with a primary goal of reducing the incidence of severe injuries and fatalities on roadways.
Chief Ramon Batista, expressing gratitude for the funding, affirmed, “This financial support strengthens our unwavering commitment to community safety. It empowers us to intensify our endeavors in enhancing road safety for all residents and to concentrate on critical areas, notably addressing distracted driving, impaired driving, and speeding.”
The grant program is set to run until September 2024. The grant will facilitate the implementation of several programs and resources, including:
- DUI checkpoints and dedicated patrols aimed at intercepting suspected impaired drivers.
- High-visibility enforcement operations targeting distracted drivers in violation of California’s hands-free cell phone law.
- Enforcement operations aimed at mitigating the most hazardous driving behaviors that jeopardize the safety of cyclists and pedestrians.
- Enforcement operations concentrating on top traffic violations that frequently lead to accidents, such as speeding, failure to yield, running stop signs or red lights, and making improper turns or lane changes.
- Community presentations on traffic safety concerns, including distracted driving, impaired driving, speeding, and bicycle and pedestrian safety.
- Collaborative enforcement efforts in partnership with neighboring law enforcement agencies.
- Officer training and recertification in essential areas such as the Standard Field Sobriety Test (SFST), Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE), and Drug Recognition Expert (DRE).
