The Susanville Police Department announced on Friday that it has received a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety to support its ongoing enforcement and education programs to help reduce the number of serious injuries and deaths on our roads.
The grant program runs through September 2026.
“We are grateful to receive this grant, which will strengthen our traffic enforcement efforts and improve road safety,” explains Lieutenant Kevin Stafford.
“Through a combination of education and enforcement efforts, our goal is to reduce dangerous driving behaviors, prevent crashes, and make our roads safer for everyone.”
The grant is intended to fund additional programs and resources focused on improving traffic safety. These new initiatives include high-visibility enforcement operations specifically targeting drivers who violate California’s hands-free cell phone law, thereby cracking down on distracted driving.
Furthermore, enforcement will focus on the most dangerous driver behaviors that compromise the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians, as well as addressing the leading violations that cause crashes. These core violations include speeding, failure to yield, running stop signs or red lights, and improper turning or lane changes.
Beyond enforcement, the grant supports community engagement, providing presentations on critical traffic safety issues such as distracted driving, impaired driving, speeding, and bicycle and pedestrian safety.
Finally, it will facilitate collaborative enforcement efforts with neighboring agencies and provide essential officer training and recertification in techniques like the Standard Field Sobriety Test, Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement, and Drug Recognition Expert to better detect and address impaired driving.
“Through focused traffic enforcement and education, we’re working toward a future where everyone will be safe on California roads,” OTS Director Stephanie Dougherty said. “By encouraging people to prioritize safety in their daily choices, we are creating a strong road safety culture together.”
