The Gilroy Police Department has received a $30,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety that will fund a yearlong program aimed at preventing deaths and injuries on Gilroy roadways through added enforcement.
In a press release issued Tuesday, GPD Sgt. Pedro Espinoza said authorities have noticed a statewide trend showing increases in distracted and drug-impaired driving. Enforcement efforts are stepping up.
The COTS grant will fund adding more DUI patrols and specifically enforcing motorcycle and distracted driving laws. Repeat DUI offenders with suspended or revoked drivers licenses are also in the crosshairs, as Espinoza said GPD plans on conducting stakeout operations on the “worst of the worst.”
“Vehicle and pedestrian safety, DUI enforcement and collision reduction are among the top priorities of the Gilroy Police Department,” said GPD Chief Denise Turner. “Our efforts in traffic enforcement and education have decreased crashes and increased driver awareness. We hope to continue these trends with the continuous dedication of our traffic division and the assistance of this grant from the COTS.”
