A grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration by way of the Office of Traffic Safety will allow police agencies throughout Sonoma County to conduct operations designed to improve traffic and pedestrian safety.
$1.4 million has been designated for such organizations as the Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, and Petaluma Police Departments, as well as the Sonoma County Probation Department. The latter agency received more than $150,000 so that those persons who have been convicted of a drunk driving or driving under the influence violation will be subject to more intensive searches and surveillance efforts. The thinking is that officials will be able to better monitor whether offenders are complying with mandated treatment programs.
Much of the money bestowed on Sonoma County is intended to establish drunk driving checkpoints during holidays throughout the year. This is part of the Avoid the 13 anti-DUI Task Force. In addition, a multitude of cities within county limits will attempt to crack down on distracted drivers, reckless drivers, and promote pedestrian safety. Those drivers and walkers whose actions compromise safety will be the focus of crackdowns in Santa Rosa, and motorcycle safety will also be a focus in the county.
It’s great to see a California county take the bull by the horns so to speak and go after dangerous driving behavior in such a manner. We all must do our part to protect roadways.