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Published on November 13, 2024
Peoria Police Department Receives Over $176K for Enhanced DUI and Traffic Safety InitiativesSource: Google Street View

The Peoria Police Department is stepping up its game in traffic safety with a sizable grant awarded by the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. The department is set to receive $176,626 aimed at cracking down on DUIs and improving overall traffic enforcement and education.

According to the City of Peoria, a portion of the grant, $52,000, will focus on aggressive and distracted drivers – the kind of driving that ups the ante on the roadway for everyone involved. The funds will support ongoing education to increase public awareness about the risks of aggressive and distracted driving. On top of that, it's earmarked for officer training on updated traffic laws.

Another chapter of these efforts, backed by $76,680 of the grant, zeroes in on impaired driving. With DUI offenses leading to destructive, and oftentimes tragic results, the goal here is crystal clear: to reduce the number of these incidents through beefed-up enforcement. "Driving while under the influence can carry a hefty price tag, including criminal and legal expenses, property damage, and more importantly the loss of human life," reads a statement from the aforementioned news post on Peoria's official site.

Not to be overlooked, $47,946 will be dedicated to a slightly different realm of road safety: protecting those on foot or wheels, including school-age children. This chunk of funding will be channeled into overtime enforcement as well as educational initiatives about traffic laws, and safety rules specifically tailored to pedestrians, school zones, and cyclists. Plus, the Peoria Police is set to continue its Bicycle Safety Partnership, benefiting local grade students through instruction, and the community through events like Bicycle Safety Rodeos.

The Sheriff's Office will use this grant for both education and enforcement to improve safety and enforce traffic and DUI laws. Peoria police aim to reduce traffic deaths, injuries, and property damage, making the city's streets safer.