The Fairfield Police Department has secured a significant grant of $230,000 from the California Office of Traffic Safety to enhance road safety initiatives aimed at reducing traffic-related injuries and fatalities. This funding, awarded through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, will support various enforcement and educational programs, as detailed in a press release issued on Friday.
The grant is set to run through September 2026 and will enable the department to broaden its efforts to promote safer driving practices within the community. The funding will support initiatives designed to target dangerous driving behaviors and bolster community outreach regarding critical traffic safety issues.
Sergeant Josh Bender of the Fairfield Police Department expressed gratitude 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 the enforcement of traffic laws, particularly in high-risk areas, with the aim of reducing dangerous driving behaviors and preventing accidents.
With the new funding, the Fairfield Police Department plans to implement a series of enhanced traffic safety operations. These initiatives will include:
– **DUI checkpoints and saturation patrols** aimed at identifying and stopping impaired drivers before any harm is done.
– **Targeted distracted driving enforcement** to address 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 making unsafe lane changes.
– **Public education campaigns and community presentations** that will highlight the dangers of impaired and distracted driving as well as speeding.
– **Advanced training and certification for officers**, including courses in field sobriety testing and drug recognition.
This comprehensive approach is intended not only to deter unsafe driving but also to cultivate long-term awareness and habits that will safeguard all road users, including drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.
Funding for this grant is provided by the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, reflecting the state’s commitment to improving road safety and reducing traffic-related incidents. The Fairfield Police Department aims to leverage this opportunity to foster a safer community for everyone on the road.
