Police Receive Grant Funding for Traffic Enforcement
While some of the funding can be used for training, the bulk of it goes to pay officers overtime to conduct traffic enforcement with the focus on speed, seatbelt, and DWI enforcement.
"This is important to note, since most officers on the street are answering calls for service and often don't have the time to focus on traffic enforcement. This allows for additional resources to patrol specifically for these types of violations," said Sgt Eric Hansen, Traffic Section Supervisor.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration studies show that nearly 97 percent of Americans view drinking and driving by others as a threat to their families and themselves. Indeed, Americans support tougher DWI enforcement and rank drunk driving ahead of healthcare, poverty, the environment and gun control as an important social issue. The majority of Americans support increased enforcement efforts.
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, in 2010 there were 25,032 alcohol-related crashes in Texas that resulted in 1,057 deaths and 16,877 injuries. In 2010, 24 percent of people killed in alcohol-related crashes in Texas were between the ages of 20 and 25, though that age group represents only 9 percent of the overall State population. More alcohol-related crashes occur between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. than any other hour of the day. Also, more alcohol-related crashes occurred on Saturday than any other day of the week.
The Grand Prairie Police Department has operated a STEP program with both state and local funding for over 25 years. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has recognized the Grand Prairie Police Department for using its STEP program to combat crime through increased traffic enforcement. The department will use the funding to staff additional DWI patrols during the Christmas and New Year’s Holiday period beginning this weekend and continuing through January 2nd.
Source: Grand Prairie Police Department
