The Office of Traffic Safety is awarding a $255,000 grant to the Berkeley Police Department for a traffic enforcement program to increase roadway safety

The Berkeley Police Department announced today that it has received a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to support its ongoing enforcement and education programs to reduce the number of serious injuries and fatalities on our roadways. The funding program runs until September 2025.

“We are grateful for this grant, which will strengthen our traffic enforcement efforts and improve traffic safety,” said Berkeley Police Department Traffic Officer Dave Harston. “By increasing traffic enforcement and focusing on high-risk areas, we aim to reduce dangerous driving behavior, prevent accidents and make our roads safer for everyone.”

• The grant will provide additional programs and resources including:
• DUI checkpoints and patrols focused on stopping suspected impaired drivers.
• Highly visible distracted driving enforcement actions against drivers who violate California's hands-free cell phone law.
• Enforcement actions focused on the most dangerous driver behaviors that endanger the safety of cyclists or pedestrians.
• Enforcement actions focused on the most common violations that resulted in accidents: speeding, failing to pass, running stop signs and/or red lights, and improper turning or changing lanes.
• Community presentations on road safety topics such as distracted driving, impaired driving, speeding, and bicycle and pedestrian safety.
• Joint enforcement efforts with neighboring agencies.
• Officer training and/or recertification: Standard Field Sobriety Test (SFST), Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE)

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.