{"id":77699,"date":"2025-12-02T10:06:20","date_gmt":"2025-12-02T18:06:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/?p=77699"},"modified":"2025-12-02T10:06:20","modified_gmt":"2025-12-02T18:06:20","slug":"putting-safety-first-california-awards-140-million-in-road-safety-projects","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/?p=77699","title":{"rendered":"Putting safety first: California awards $140 million in road safety projects"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n
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What you need to know:\u00a0<\/strong>The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) awards more than $140 million to nearly 500 local projects to increase roadway safety and save lives.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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SACRAMENTO \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>As California continues to see\u00a0<\/span>increased safety<\/a>\u00a0on its roadways, Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the state\u2019s continued commitment to new and innovative investments in transportation safety, education and enforcement programs.<\/p>\n

The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) is awarding over $140 million in federal funding for\u00a0<\/span>495 grants<\/a>\u00a0to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety and provide critical education and enforcement programs that serve the traffic safety needs of Californians.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cWe\u2019re reshaping traffic safety in California. Our investments are making our roads safer, our communities stronger, and our infrastructure more resilient. While there\u2019s still more work to do, we\u2019re doing it together, up and down the state, making smart, targeted improvements that will protect Californians for years to come.\u201d<\/span><\/h4>\n
Governor Gavin Newsom<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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This funding adds to the $14.6 billion in dedicated state funding for the state\u2019s transportation infrastructure. Recently, through a joint initiative on<\/span>\u00a0statewide policy on road safety<\/a>\u00a0by the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) and California Health and Human Services Agency (CalHHS), the state set an interim goal to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured in traffic crashes by 30% by 2035. This targeted, prevention-first approach complements nearly\u00a0$5 billion in investments<\/a>\u00a0specific to Governor Newsom\u2019s\u00a0build more, faster agenda<\/a>, delivering infrastructure upgrades that improve roads, expand safe transportation options and continue to support the safe movement of people throughout the state. See projects in your community at\u00a0build.ca.gov<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks to Governor Newsom\u2019s unwavering leadership, California is making bold, data-driven investments that prioritize safety and save lives,\u201d said\u00a0<\/span>CalSTA Secretary Toks Omishakin<\/strong>. \u201cFrom equipping first responders with life-saving tools like the \u2018Jaws of Life\u2019 and digital alert technology, to supporting groundbreaking emergency care innovations like UCLA\u2019s prehospital blood transfusion pilot, these historic grants reflect our commitment to building a transportation system where every person\u2014whether walking, biking or driving\u2014can travel safely in every community.\u201d<\/p>\n

The OTS funds hundreds of projects throughout the state in the areas of alcohol and drug-impaired driving, distracted driving, seat belts and child safety seats, bicycle and pedestrian safety, emergency medical services, police traffic services and traffic records. Funding also supports the OTS \u201c<\/span>Go Safely, California<\/a>\u201d program, a statewide public education and awareness initiative that drives forward a positive road safety culture.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery person deserves to be safe walking, biking, or driving,\u201d said\u00a0<\/span>OTS Director Stephanie Dougherty<\/strong>. \u201cThe OTS is committed to saving lives through a collective set of actions \u2013 public education, enforcement targeted at dangerous driving behaviors and establishing a strong road safety culture that empowers people to put safety first \u2013 that will reduce the number of people killed on our roads.\u201d<\/p>\n

As part of the traffic safety funding, the OTS is awarding nearly $22.3 million to the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to support 20 projects that span both statewide initiatives and localized efforts. These grants aim to reduce traffic fatalities and injuries through targeted outreach, enforcement, and community engagement programs tailored to the unique needs of communities across California.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThese grants are a vital investment in the safety of every Californian who uses our roads,\u201d said\u00a0<\/span>CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee<\/strong>. \u201cFrom educating young drivers to preventing impaired and distracted driving, this funding allows our officers to engage directly with communities and take meaningful action to reduce crashes and save lives.\u201d<\/p>\n

The CHP statewide initiatives include:<\/span><\/p>\n