Cotati Police Receive Hefty Grant to Assist in Traffic Enforcement, Crash Prevention

The Cotati Police Department received a boost in their mission to keep local roadways clear of traffic accidents, injuries and deaths.

The California Office of Traffic Safety recently awarded the Cotati Police Department a $41,000 grant for a yearlong program that's designed to prevent deaths and injuries on Cotati roadways.

With the money, the department plans to implement special traffic enforcement patrols and public awareness programs.

"The grant will assist in efforts to deal with traffic safety problems and to reduce the number of persons killed and injured in traffic collisions," wrote Cotati Police Chief Michael Parish in a press release. "While traffic deaths from all causes declined by nearly 39 percent between 2006 and 2010 in California, state and federal officials anticipate that figure will show a slight rise in 2011. DUI deaths remain the largest sector, at nearly 30 percent of traffic fatalities. Recent trends show increases in two new categories - distracted drivers and drug-impaired driving."

The grant will provide:

• Specialized DUI and drugged driving training, Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement, and Drug Recognition Evaluator
• DUI Saturation Patrols
• Motorcycle safety enforcement
• Distracted driving enforcement
• Seat belt and child safety seat enforcement
• Speed, red light and stop sign enforcement
• Warrant service operations targeting multiple DUI offenders
• Compilation of DUI 'Hot Sheets' identifying worst-of-the-worst DUI offenders
• Court 'sting' operations to cite individuals driving from court after having their driver's license suspended or revoked for drunk driving
• Stakeout operations to observe the 'worst of the worst' repeat DUI offender probationers with suspended or revoked driver licenses

"Despite the recent increases, California's roadways are still very much safer than they were before 2006," said OTS Director Christopher J. Murphy. "The Cotati Police Department will be keeping the pressure on through enforcement and public awareness so that we can continue saving lives and reach the vision we all share - toward zero deaths, every 1 counts."

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