SOLEDAD — Soledad Police Department has been awarded a $50,000 grant to increase patrols throughout the community and provide other traffic safety programs to help reduce the number of serious injuries and deaths on roads.
“This grant funding allows us to support our ongoing traffic safety efforts in the community,” said Soledad Police Sgt. Jesus Contreras. “Our intent is to stop the most unlawful and dangerous behaviors that put people at risk and create an environment where everyone feels safe traveling.”
The grant will provide additional programs and resources, including DUI checkpoints and patrols focused on stopping suspected impaired drivers; high visibility distracted driving enforcement operations targeting drivers in violation of California’s hands-free cell phone law; enforcement operations focused on the most dangerous driver behaviors that put the safety of people biking or walking at risk; and enforcement operations focused on top violations that cause crashes, such as speeding, failure to yield, stop sign and/or red-light running and improper turning or lane changes.
In addition, Soledad Police will use the grant to host community presentations on traffic safety issues, such as distracted driving, impaired driving, speeding, bicycle and pedestrian safety, as well as collaborative enforcement efforts with neighboring agencies.
The grant program, which runs through September 2023, also allows for officer training and/or recertification for Standard Field Sobriety Test, Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement and Drug Recognition Expert.
Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
