Full Notification

MODESTO POLICE COMMENCE SPECIAL TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM
More traffic enforcement and safer streets are coming to the City of Modesto beginning this month thanks to a recent $298,770 grant awarded by the California Office of Traffic Safety. New equipment includes alcohol screening devices, speed enforcement radar equipment, and a traffic collision reconstruction system. Increased special traffic enforcement measures are on tap for the Modesto Police Department as law enforcement continues their commitment to keeping our roadways safe through both enforcement and education.

“We are pleased to receive this additional state funding, which will allow us to strengthen our traffic safety efforts as we continue to strive to make our roadways safe for all motorists traveling our City streets,” said Police Chief Michael G. Harden. “With the funding received, officers will receive new and additional tools to assist them in the goal of making safer roadways for Modesto motorists.”
The Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) grant is to assist in efforts to deal with increased traffic safety problems and reduce the number of persons killed and injured in traffic collisions. The grant activities will specifically target motorcycle related violations, DUI offenders, speeders, drivers with suspended or revoked licenses, illegal street racing, red light running, and seatbelt violations. This will be done through the use of DUI/driver’s license checkpoints, DUI saturation patrols, and other special enforcement operations targeting the various violations.

The grant also provides funding for a new traffic collision reconstruction system, speed radar equipment, alcohol screening devices and overtime to conduct special enforcement activities.

“Every driver and every motorcyclist must get back to the basics: drive sober, always drive or ride safely, buckle up and we will save lives. It’s just that simple,” said Christopher J. Murphy, Director of the Office of Traffic Safety. “This grant will help make the City of Modesto just that much safer of a place to live and work.”

New this year is the addition of 3 special Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operations. Motorcycle fatalities have been on the rise in California, increasing 175 percent statewide in the last decade, from 204 killed in 1998 to 560 killed in 2008.

Modesto Police Officers will be conducting specialized enforcement efforts throughout the course of the next year. Extra officers will be on duty patrolling areas frequented by motorcycles. Officers will be cracking down on traffic violations made by motorcyclists, and other vehicle drivers, that result in far too many motorcycle collisions, injuries and deaths.

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