Edhat StaffSource: California Highway Patrol
In an effort to save lives from traffic collisions attributed to impaired drivers, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Santa Barbara Area and Buellton Area offices will use a federal grant to conduct a regional campaign in Santa Barbara County. The project started on October 1, 2018, and ends on September 30, 2019.
The CHP Santa Barbara and Buellton Areas are deploying officers on enhanced enforcement patrols for impaired drivers, particularly on United States 101, State Routes 154, 192, and 246; and problematic roadways within the CHP’s Santa Barbara Area and Buellton Area jurisdictions, such as Hollister Avenue, Ballard Canyon Road, and Via Real.
“Keeping the motoring public safe is our number one priority. Please help us keep our community safe by NOT getting behind the wheel after you have been drinking or using any marijuana products,” said CHP Captain Cindy Pontes, Commander of the Santa Barbara Area office. “This grant will allow for enhanced enforcement of our traffic laws and remove impaired drivers from our roadways.”
According to the CHP’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System, there were 77 people injured and killed in traffic collisions involving impaired drivers on CHP jurisdictional roadways within both Area jurisdictions between October 1, 2015, and September 30, 2016. This CHP safety campaign also includes a community-based task force and public awareness and education to help reinforce the dangers of driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs.
Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. While alcohol remains the worst offender for DUI crashes, the CHP supports the new effort from OTS that aims to drive awareness that “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.” Prescription medications and marijuana can also be impairing by themselves, or in combination with alcohol, and can result in a DUI arrest.
I assume heavy patrols on Hwy 1 between Lompoc and 101? Lots of traffic death there but don’t know if they are the result of ‘impaired’ driving or just bad judgment. Do know that there were A LOT of CHP on 101 between Buellton and SLO a couple of Saturday’s ago. I know they flood areas to raise visibility which is a good idea by and large. Again, however, why do we have ‘grants’ to do this work when it is a basic part of the task at hand. Grants are just a way to get money into bureaucracy and away from real work needed.