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Tag: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

  • Citrus Heights PD awarded $145k grant for more DUI checkpoints, patrols

    Citrus Heights PD awarded $145k grant for more DUI checkpoints, patrols

    Citrus Heights, DUI checkpoint
    File photo, a traffic sign notifies drivers of a DUI checkpoint in Citrus Heights. // CH Sentinel

    Citrus Heights police have been awarded a $145,000 grant through the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) for funding DUI checkpoints, saturation patrols, and safety enforcement in the city.

    In a Sept. 8 memo to the city council, Police Lt. Jason Russo said the grant seeks “to reduce the number of driving under the influence incidents within the City of Citrus Heights, and provide for a safer driving environment for the community.” He said funding is included for five DUI and driver’s license checkpoints, 35 “DUI saturation patrols,” one motorcycle safety enforcement operation, 14 traffic enforcement operations, and 15 distracted driving enforcement operations.

    The grant also provides funds for a new Traffic Safety Unit trailer to carry checkpoint equipment and other supplies, as well as funds to send several officers to DUI recognition training.

    According to a document provided to The Sentinel by Lt. Russo, $20,000 will go to fund the 35 “saturation patrols,” which refers to officers specifically deployed to pull over drivers exhibiting signs of intoxication. Lt. Russo said $35,000 is also allocated for DUI and driver’s license checkpoints, which he said cost about $7,500 per operation.

    The lieutenant’s memo also said the city has had “many issues” with DUI collisions and related deaths. Data previously provided by police show a total of 73 DUI-related collisions and 340 DUI arrests in Citrus Heights last year.

    [Related: 2015 stats show 19% drop in Citrus Heights DUI crashes, but fatalities rise]

    Traffic safety grants are awarded based on safety rankings and crash statistics compiled by OTS, according to Lt. Russo, with the worst and most dangerous ranked cities typically being awarded more funds. In 2013, the most recent year OTS data is available, Citrus Heights had 437 injury or fatal collisions and was given an overall safety ranking of 71 out of 103 cities in its size class — with a ranking of “1” being the most dangerous city and 103 being the safest.

    By comparison, Rancho Cordova had a lower — or worse — overall safety ranking of 51 out of 103 cities, and Folsom ranked 46 out of 103.

    Funding for the $145,000 OTS grant originates from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which annually administers over $500 million in federal funds to state agencies across the United States, who in turn distribute the funds to various local agencies.

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  • Police: DUI checkpoint planned this weekend in Citrus Heights

    Police: DUI checkpoint planned this weekend in Citrus Heights

    Citrus Heights, DUI checkpoint
    File photo, a traffic sign notifies drivers of a DUI checkpoint in Citrus Heights. // CH Sentinel

    Citrus Heights police announced Thursday that a DUI and driver’s license checkpoint will be conducted by the department’s Traffic Unit at “an undisclosed location” in the city this weekend.

    In a news release issued by Sgt. Brian Fritsch, police said the checkpoint would be held between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m., beginning Friday night, Feb. 19. Police said officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and drug impairment, as well as checking drivers for proper licensing.

    Additionally, police said specially trained officers will be on scene to evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving, which can include many prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications, according to the news release. Police said drugged driving now accounts for “a growing number of impaired driving crashes.”

    CHPD is known to hold regularly publicized checkpoints within Citrus Heights city limits, focusing on areas with a history of collisions and DUI arrests. The department says it announces DUI operations in advance because “the deterrent effect of DUI checkpoints is a proven resource in reducing the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol or drug involved crashes.”

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    A 2006 study paid for by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which provides funding for checkpoints around the nation, reported that alcohol-related crashes dropped significantly in various jurisdictions, after increased, high-publicity DUI campaigns were conducted.

    An example included in the study’s 108-page report found alcohol-related fatal crashes dropped by 50 percent in Fresno from 2002 to 2003, after Fresno Police “more than doubled” special enforcement activity. Overall alcohol-related crashes in Fresno dropped from 444 in 2002 down to 333 in 2003, an average drop of 25 percent.

    [Document: NHTSA_DUI_Case_Studies_2006.pdf]

    In Citrus Heights last year there were 73 DUI-related collisions, according to statistics previously provided to The Sentinel by Sgt. Jason Baldwin. He said DUI collisions in the city last year dropped by 19 percent compared to 2014, with DUI arrests also dropping from 385 down to 340.

    Out of six fatal roadway collisions in Citrus Heights last year, police determined alcohol was involved on the part of the driver in at least three of the collisions, and two involved alcohol on the part of pedestrians who were hit and killed.

    In prior news releases about local checkpoints, police have emphasized the “preventable nature of drunk driving” accidents, advising those planning to enjoy a drink to designate a sober driver ahead of time, or utilize options like a taxi or Uber. Police have also advised sober drivers to call 9-1-1 to report drunk drivers, and to take the keys of someone who’s been drinking and “help them get home safely.”

    [Also on The Sentinel: Citrus Heights Police: crime reduced by 5% in 2015]

    Funding for CHPD’s checkpoints comes from a California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) grant, through the NHTSA. Police said last November CHPD had received a $236,190 OTS grant to help fund a year-long program of safety-related efforts, including DUI checkpoints and distracted driving enforcement.