Oxnard, Ca. – Oxnard Police Department received funding from two grants totaling $486,000 from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS). The police department received $33,000 for one of the grants that focuses on the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians.
“Our goal is that education will change poor behaviors and make our roads safer,” OTS Director Barbara Rooney said. “This funding will help ensure the safety of those out biking or walking.”
The grant funds will be used for a variety of activities promoting bicyclist and pedestrian safety including:
- Education workshops geared toward youth and older adults.
- Education on the importance of safety equipment that improves visibility such as reflective armbands, bicycle headlights, and taillights.
- Community walks and bicycle safety courses.
- Bicycle helmet inspections.
- Distribution of bicycle helmets to those in need following education presentations.
The Oxnard Police Department was awarded a second grant for $453,000 from the California Office of Traffic Safety that will assist in efforts to reduce deaths and injuries on Oxnard roads.
Oxnard Police Chief Scott Whitney said, “Traffic safety is everyone’s responsibility, including pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists. These grants will help promote traffic safety and reduce injuries caused by preventable collisions through educational presentations, traffic safety equipment for our community, and needed resources for our department.”
The grant will fund a variety of traffic safety programs including:
- Patrols with emphasis on alcohol and drug-impaired driving prevention.
- Patrols with emphasis on the education of traffic rights for bicyclists and pedestrians.
- Patrols with emphasis on awareness and education of primary causes of crashes such as excess speed, failure to yield, failure to stop at stop signs/signals, improper turning/lane changes.
- Community education presentations on traffic safety issues such as distracted driving, DUI, speed, bicycle and pedestrian safety.
- Collaborative efforts with neighboring agencies on traffic safety priorities.
- Officer training and/or recertification: Standard Field Sobriety Test (SFST), Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE), and Drug Recognition Expert (DRE).
The grant programs run from Oct. 1, 2020, to Sept. 30, 2021.Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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