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Press Release

GOVERNOR DAVIS AWARDS $2.4 MILLION IN GRANTS
TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC SAFETY IN BAY AREA

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gray Davis today announced the award of 37 traffic safety grants totaling $2.4 million for Bay Area communities. The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) will administer the grants through the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency to help improve and resolve traffic safety related issues on area streets and highways.

"California continues to raise the bar on traffic safety, particularly when it comes to the use of seat belts and child safety seats," Governor Davis said. "Funding for these comprehensive traffic safety programs will enable California to maintain that momentum as well as address those traffic safety issues that continue to be a challenge in a state as large and diverse as California."

In addition to the Bay Area grants, Governor Davis announced the award of 145 other grants across California, totaling $30.3 million statewide.

The newly funded grants include occupant protection, alcohol and other drugs, emergency medical services, police traffic services, bicycle/pedestrian education programs, traffic records, roadway safety, and outreach to community-based organizations throughout California.

As alcohol-related injuries and fatalities in California increased by four percent between 1999 and 2000, the funding includes a concentrated effort among numerous grants to deter impaired driving. Programs will also include an emphasis on improving California's already impressive occupant protection record.

"Although California enjoys one of the nation's highest seat belt use rate at 91.1 percent, as well as the highest child safety seat use rate at 87.6 percent, that doesn't mean it's time to lessen our efforts in this area," stated Governor Davis. "By doing even better, we can prevent the loss of life and prevent injuries."

Following are selected examples of local organizations scheduled to receive funds. (Please see attachment for a complete listing of Bay Area grants). Grant amounts are in parentheses:

San Francisco Police Department ($55,400) will publicize and conduct Safe and Sober in San Francisco 2, including local and combined DUI efforts of the San Francisco Police Department and California Highway Patrol during winter, Memorial Day and Labor Day holiday periods. The program hopes to reduce alcohol-involved collisions and educate the public about the dangers of impaired driving.

Solano County Health & Social Services ($194,076) will reduce injuries and fatalities for vehicle occupants up to six years of age through a community wide effort providing public education, safety seat inspection stations, safety seat check up events, thrift store policy change and media relations.

Half Moon Bay Fire Protection District ($38,096) will reduce vehicle collision victim extrication time and equip fire district apparatus to better respond to multiple extrication collisions. The project will provide up to date vehicle extrication training for all district personnel and generate public awareness of the teen collision rate via participation in Safe and Sane Grad Night programs.

City of Berkeley ($100,000) will increase pedestrian safety at identified crosswalks and increase public awareness of pedestrian traffic. Lighted crosswalks will be installed in the top four dangerous crosswalks.

Note to editors and assignment desks: For further information regarding OTS grants and programs, contact Marilyn Sabin, Assistant Director of Operations, at (916) 262-2978, or, (916) 798-6065. Visit the OTS Web site at www.ots.ca.gov.

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Regional Grant: 2003 Traffic Safety Grant Awards to San Francisco Bay Area