Riverside Police Department was awarded an Illinois Department of Transportation Division of Traffic Safety (IDOT-DTS) Highway Safety traffic enforcement grant for $29,259.30.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has helped states implement traffic safety programs across the country to aid police agencies in conducting intensive, highly publicized campaigns of increased enforcement for speeding, impaired driving and seatbelt laws.
The Sustained Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) grant runs October 16, 2019 through September 30, 2020. During the year officers begin with public education and conclude with a traffic enforcement phase including special enforcement mobilizations, DUI saturation patrols, speed enforcement and general traffic enforcement.
Through traffic enforcement - with special emphasis on speed, occupant restraint and impaired driving, the goal is to reduce traffic crashes, thus decreasing fatalities and injuries. Police also want to achieve increased use of seatbelts and child safety and booster seats.
“The Riverside Police Department is fortunate to receive the funding from IDOT. The funding will assist the Riverside Police Department in providing education and enforcement in the area of traffic safety. This will help achieve the Riverside Police Department and community goals of making Riverside a safer place for motorists, bicyclist, and pedestrians,” said Sgt. John Cairo.
The grant award is a no match grant and fully funded by IDOT.