Sheriff’s Department receives two grants to increase safety on roads

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department has received two grants to improve road safety throughout the county. The first grant, from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) for $1.13 million will support the department’s ongoing enforcement and education programs to reduce the number of serious injuries and deaths on our roads.

“We are grateful to receive this grant, which will strengthen our traffic enforcement efforts and improve road safety,” Sheriff’s Corporal, Dustin Whitson said. “By increasing enforcement of traffic laws and focusing on high-risk areas, we aim to reduce dangerous driving behaviors, prevent crashes, and make our roads safer for everyone.”

The grant will provide additional programs and resources, including:

• DUI checkpoints and patrols focused on stopping suspected impaired drivers
• 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 violations which contribute to collisions: 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 (SFST), Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) and Drug Recognition Expert (DRE)

The grant program runs through September 2025.

The second grant of $660,722, from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) will go towards replacing outdated alcohol testing instruments in the Sheriff’s Crime Lab which are used by all law enforcement agencies within the county.