CALIFORNIA - Redlands Police Department receive safety grant....

OFF THE WIRE


http://www.redlandsdailyfacts.com/news/ci_19692126
Police receive safety grant

Molly Davis, Staff Writer Posted:
REDLANDS - Warning people to "drive sober or get pulled over," the Redlands Police Department is working on making the city's streets safer. The RPD has received a traffic safety grant aimed at preventing DUI-related injuries and deaths. The $120,000 grant was awarded by the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) for the 2012 year.
"Redlands is very appreciative of the grant we received from OTS," said Sgt. Rick Smith of the Traffic Unit. "In the past 12 months, Redlands has conducted 21 DUI checkpoints, and we have had no DUI fatalities."
According to a news release, drunken driving is one of the country's deadliest crimes.
"In 2009, 950 people throughout California died in roadway crashes that involved a driver or motorcycle operator with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 percent or higher," the release said.
The key to the program is the DUI and driver's license checkpoints that the department advertises and holds. According to the release, the events are not meant to increase arrests.
"We believe these checkpoints deter drunk driving," Smith said.
According to the news release, "research shows that crashes involving alcohol drop by an average of 20 percent when well publicized checkpoints are conducted often enough."
This is not the first such grant for the RPD. Currently, the department utilizes three similar grants.
"Grant funding also allows for roving DUI saturation patrols, selected traffic
 enforcement targeting aggressive drivers who run stop signs, red lights and speed through residential areas and schools zones," the release explained. In addition, the department will be able to purchase two digital radar trailers and a variable message sign board trailer, and provide drug impairment training to seven officers.
"This training will provide on-the-spot assessment of drivers suspected of drug impairment," the release said.
Plus, the RPD will be watching for traffic violations that could result in collisions.
"Thanks to the dedicated hard work of agencies like the Redlands Police Department, California has seen a drop of nearly 27 percent in DUI fatalities," said Christopher Murphy, OTS Director. "While this is good news, we know that only by keeping the pressure on through enforcement and public awareness can we hope to sustain these declines and save lives."