The Fairfield Police Department has been awarded a significant grant of $230,000 from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to enhance road safety initiatives. This funding, provided through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, is aimed at reducing traffic-related injuries and fatalities. The program is scheduled to run until September 2026.
With this new financial support, the police department plans to implement a variety of enforcement and educational initiatives. These efforts will focus on increasing police visibility on the roads, targeting dangerous driving behaviors, and enhancing community outreach on critical traffic safety issues.
Sergeant Josh Bender of the Fairfield Police expressed appreciation for the grant, stating, “We are grateful to receive this grant, which will strengthen our traffic enforcement efforts and improve road safety.” He emphasized the department’s commitment to increasing enforcement of traffic laws in high-risk areas to curb unsafe driving behaviors and prevent accidents.
Enhanced Traffic Safety Operations
The funding will facilitate a series of enhanced traffic safety operations. Key initiatives include:
– **DUI checkpoints and saturation patrols** aimed at identifying and stopping impaired drivers before they can cause harm.
– **Targeted enforcement** against distracted driving, particularly focusing on violations of California’s hands-free law.
– **Pedestrian and bicycle safety operations** designed to protect vulnerable road users from reckless driving.
– **Crackdowns on major crash-causing violations** such as speeding, running red lights, failing to yield, and unsafe lane changes.
– **Public education campaigns** and community presentations addressing the dangers of impaired and distracted driving, speeding, and other critical issues.
– **Advanced training and certification** for officers, including courses in field sobriety testing and drug recognition.
The department’s approach combines enforcement with education, aiming not only to deter unsafe driving but also to promote long-term awareness and safer habits among all road users, including drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.
Funding for this initiative underscores a broader commitment to improving traffic safety across the region. The Fairfield Police Department is poised to make a meaningful impact on local road safety through these targeted efforts, supported by the substantial grant from the California OTS.