DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE PREVENTION GRANT vs

THE CITY OF SALINAS IS GETTING TOUGHER ON PEOPLE WHO CHOOSE TO DRINK AND DRIVE. FUNDED BY A $350,000 2-YEAR TRAFFIC SAFETY GRANT, THE SALINAS POLICE DEPARTMENT WILL BEEF UP ITS DUI ENFORCEMENT (AND EDUCATION EFFORTS) IN AN ATTEMPT TO COMBAT THE PROBLEM OF IMPAIRED DRIVERS. ALSO, SPECIALIZED DUI TEAMS WILL ENFORCE SEAT BELT LAWS AND EDUCATE THE MOTORING PUBLIC ON THE BENEFITS OF ALWAYS WEARING THEIR SEAT BELTS. THE GRANT WAS AWARDED THROUGH THE OFFICE OF TRAFFIC SAFETY IN THE CALIFORNIA BUSINESS, TRANSPORTATION & HOUSING AGENCY. THE AGENCY'S SECRETARY SUNNE WRIGHT MCPEAK SAID "WEARING A SEAT BELT IS SIMPLE AND CAN SAVE A LIFE." THE GRANT STARTED OCTOBER 1ST OF THIS YEAR, AND WILL CONSIST OF SPECIALIZED DUI ENFORCEMENT TEAMS, DRIVER'S LICENSE CHECKPOINTS, AND AN EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGN. SALINAS POLICE CHIEF DANIEL M. ORTEGA SAID, "CLEARLY, WE TAKE DRINKING AND DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE VERY SERIOUSLY, IT IS THE CITY OF SALINAS' INTENTION TO MAKE OUR CITY STREETS SAFER THROUGH INCREASED EDUCATION AND ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS." DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE IS THE NATION'S MOST FREQUENTLY COMMITTED VIOLENT CRIME, KILLING SOMEONE EVERY 30 MINUTES.

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