The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office has been awarded a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to support ongoing traffic enforcement and public education efforts aimed at reducing serious injuries and fatalities on local roadways.

Deputy Matthew Orr said the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office provides traffic enforcement and safety services to the communities of Hughson, Riverbank, Patterson and Waterford. Funding provided through the OTS STEP Grant will enhance these efforts by allowing deputies to conduct additional, focused enforcement in areas experiencing traffic safety concerns, with an emphasis on reducing dangerous driving behaviors and preventing crashes.

The grant will support DUl checkpoints and impaired-driving patrols, distracted-driving enforcement, and operations targeting dangerous violations such as speeding, failure to yield, red-light and stop-sign violations, and unsafe turns or lane changes. Funding will also support efforts to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety, community traffic safety education, collaborative enforcement with neighboring agencies, and specialized officer training in impaired-driving detection and evaluation.

“Traffic safety begins with everyday decisions,” said OTS Director Stephanie Dougherty. “When we address the risky driving behaviors that put everyone on the road in danger, including speeding, distraction, and impairment, we can prevent crashes and save lives. By supporting enforcement efforts and educating communities, we’re helping to build a safety culture where looking out for others and safe travel behaviors are the norm.”

The grant program runs through September 2027.

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