The California Office of Traffic Safety recently awarded a $245,000 grant to the Santa Maria Police Department to implement a year-long anti-DUI program to prevent deaths and injuries on local roadways. “Driving under the Influence continues to be a problem within our city. With help from the Office of Traffic Safety, the city of Santa Maria has made DUI enforcement and education a top priority” Lt. Rico Flores said in a release to the media. The DUI Enforcement and Awareness grant will specifically target impaired driving offenders, as well as educate the public on the dangers of impaired driving, by funding more DUI/driver’s license checkpoints, warrant searches, and stakeouts for repeat DUI offenders.
According to a press release from the city, drunk driving is one of America’s deadliest crimes. In 2009, more than 10,839 people died in highway crashes involving a driver or motorcycle operator with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher. However, California data for 2009 shows that 950 died in alcohol impaired collisions—a 7.6 percent reduction in deaths from 2008. “Everyone in California should be heartened with these figures,” Christopher J. Murphy, director of the California Office of Traffic Safety, said in the press release. “But as encouraging as this is, we can’t let up on the efforts to promote and enforce traffic safety. Far too many are still losing their lives or being severely injured on our roadways.” Funding for this program comes through the Office of Traffic Safety’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Santa Maria Valley Republicans Inc. will hold its monthly membership meeting on Nov. 21 beginning at 5 p.m. at the Ambrosia Restaurant, 122 E. Boone St., in Santa Maria. The guest speaker this month will be Steve Lavagnino, 5th District Santa Barbara County Supervisor Elect. The dinner costs $25 and includes buffet, salad, bread, coffee, tea, and homemade dessert. Wine and beer is also available for purchase. To RSVP, contact Joanne soon at 928-2955.
This article appears in Nov 18-25, 2010.
