The California Highway Patrol received a grant to combat dangerous driving behaviors statewide.
According to the CHP, the California Office of Traffic Safety Speed Prevention, Education, and Enforcement Deterrence (SPEED) granted in early November is geared toward reducing the number of fatal injuries and crashes related to speed. The funding will increase CHP enforcement patrols and public awareness.
“Reducing dangerous driving behaviors continues to be a high priority for the CHP,” said CHP Commissioner Amanda Ray. “The SPEED grant provides the necessary funding to bolster resources and combat this growing trend of reckless and inexcusable driving behavior.”
Approximately 40% of all fatal and injury crashes are caused by speed, according to CHP. Between October 1, 2019, and September 30, 2020, 26,256 speed-related crashes killed 290 people and injured 38,157 others.
The CHP used federal funding in a similar grant program that ran from Jan. 1, 2020, through Sept. 20, 2021, to implement educational and enforcement efforts to combat dangerous driving behaviors by conducting enhanced speed enforcement operations on state routes.
There were nearly 50,000 citations written to motorists who exceeded 100 miles per hour, in collaboration with allied law enforcement.
Under the SPEED grant, CHP’s enforcement patrols and public awareness campaigns throughout California through Sept. 30, 2023.
