Salinas Police awarded grant to address traffic safety concerns

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) -- Salinas Police are getting a boost in the form of a $137,500 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety to address concerns in the city.

Police say the grant will help reduce deaths and injuries on Salinas roads with a variety of traffic safety programs.

These programs will aim to reduce alcohol and drug-impaired driving, emphasize awareness of the state hands-free cell phone law, and also education of traffic rights for bicyclists and pedestrians.

The grant will also help with programs educating the public on primary causes of crashes, such as excess speed, failure to yield, running through stop signs/signals and improper turning or lane changes.

"Through education and behavior changes, we hope to create an environment that is safe and equitable for all road users in our community," says Traffic Sgt. Robert Hampson.

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

“These are trying times, and now more than ever, it is important that we are at the forefront of traffic safety,” Sgt. Hampson said