California Office of Traffic Safety Awards $461,000 in Grants to the Riverside Police Department
The Riverside Police Department announced on October 13 that it has received three grants totaling $461,000 from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) for traffic enforcement and education, motorcycle safety training and a child safety seat program. The grant period runs through September 2027, with funding provided through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Of the total, $412,000 will fund traffic enforcement and education, including DUI checkpoints, distracted driving patrols, speed and red-light enforcement, community safety presentations and officer training. A $24,000 grant supports the department's "Ride to Live" motorcycle safety training, a free hands-on course taught by law enforcement officers covering braking, turning, swerving and merging skills. A $25,000 grant funds child safety seat education, including inspection events, classes, technician training and free seats for families in need.
Riverside police Sergeant Dan Macias said the department is grateful for the continued investment, which allows it to combine enforcement, education and community outreach to address major traffic safety problems. OTS Director Stephanie Dougherty said traffic safety begins with everyday decisions, and that addressing dangerous behaviors such as speeding, distraction and impaired driving can prevent crashes and save lives.
The department also noted that California's AB 435 takes effect on January 1, 2027, introducing a five-step test for determining when a child can use a seat belt alone; under current law, children under 8 must ride in the back seat in a child safety seat or booster seat, unless they are at least 4 feet 9 inches tall.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：河滨市政厅（Riverside City Hall）。Josiah.r.white／Wikimedia Commons，CC0
