The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department has recently been awarded a $1,110,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), a significant contribution toward enhancing road safety in the region. Aimed at bolstering enforcement and education programs, the grant has been made available at a time when concerns about road safety are spiking across the nation, implicating a rising need for resources to tackle this issue.
Having received the grant, Corporal Dustin Whitson of the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, committed to utilize this funding to improve public safety. Whitson stated that the grant would in turn enable greater enforcement efforts focusing on critical issues like distracted driving, impaired driving, and speeding. "Lowering injuries and fatalities across our County is our ambitious goal," said Whitson. The official announcement specified the grant program's operation until September 2024.
The capital from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) will be allocated to various programs and tools to strongly combat risky driving behaviors that puts the safety of pedestrians and cyclists in jeopardy. DUI checkpoints and patrols, enforcement focused on distracted driving, and operations aiming at most dangerous driving habits that violate road safety will be part of the grant. The focus would be on curbing top-ranking violations leading to accidents, for instance, speeding, failure to yield, and unlawful turning or lane changes.
The grant also aims to create community engagement through educative initiatives. A series of presentations on traffic safety issues, such as driving distraction, impaired driving, speeding, and safety of pedestrians and cyclists are intended. This involves educating the public and spreading awareness. At the same time, collaborative efforts with local enforcement agencies will be used to effect a comprehensive approach toward traffic management in the region.
Officer training and certification will equally benefit from this funding, covering areas like Standard Field Sobriety Test (SFST), Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE), and Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) programs. Such programs are expected to bolster traffic enforcement in San Bernardino County by providing the necessary knowledge and training to law enforcement officers.
