MURRIETA, CA — The Murrieta Police Department was awarded a $210,000 grant that will be used to help reduce the number of severe injuries and deaths on city roads, officials announced Wednesday.
The grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will “strengthen Murrieta PD’s commitment to public safety in our community,” said Sgt. Steve Whiddon.
“We will be able to increase our efforts in making our roads safer for everyone and focus on critical areas such as distracted driving, impaired driving and speeding,” the Murrieta PD sergeant said.
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With the funding that will be used through September 2024, Murrieta residents, businesses and visitors can expect to see increased:
• DUI checkpoints and patrols focused on stopping suspected impaired drivers.
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• 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.
• Enforcement operations focused on top violations that cause crashes: speeding, failure to yield, stop sign and/or red-light running, and improper turning or lane changes.
• Community presentations on traffic safety issues such as distracted driving, impaired driving, speeding, and bicycle and pedestrian safety.
• Collaborative enforcement efforts with neighboring agencies.
• Officer training and/or recertification: Standard Field Sobriety Test, Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement, and Drug Recognition Expert.
“The Murrieta Police Department, in partnership with the California Office of Traffic Safety, will be able to use these funds to increase the number of officers on the road, which will impact the overall safety of our community,” said Murrieta Police Department Captain Matt Henry.
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