Your Monthly Update

June 2025

It’s officially summer! During this time of year, people are driving, walking and biking more. In this issue of OTS Tracks, we’ll share some highlights of how OTS has been preparing Californians for summer travel, resources to share with your communities on staying safe during summertime, and more exciting highlights. ☀️

Make the "100 Deadliest Days of Summer" the Safest

In California, 990 people died in teen crashes between 2019 and 2023, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. About 30% of those deaths occurred during the period known as the 100 Deadliest Days, which spans from Memorial Day to Labor Day. National and state safety and youth-based organizations, including OTS partner Impact Teen Drivers, have joined forces to turn the “100 Deadliest Days” into the 100 Safest Days of Summer. Summer is a season when young drivers spend more time behind the wheel and engage in risky driving behaviors such as texting while driving, speeding and not wearing seat belts. That’s why it is important to promote safe driving habits. You can support these efforts using educational resources available from the 100 Safest Days of Summer website to inform, spark meaningful conversations and empower teen drivers to make safer choices behind the wheel.

Helping Prepare Every California Teen for Safe Driving

Traffic safety partners are our greatest asset. Impact Teen Drivers (ITD) and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) are two partners who help us reach and engage with communities most impacted by traffic safety problems. Last month, the OTS participated in the Teen Safe Driving Event at the CHP Academy in West Sacramento, California. ITD hosts this annual event to provide education and resources for Sacramento-area foster teens. During the opening presentation, the OTS Director Stephanie Dougherty emphasized the importance of talking about the basics of safe driving. “Staying within the speed limit, wearing your seat belt and keeping your focus on the road," Dougherty said. "These may sound simple, but they save lives.” The day was packed with engaging presentations and activities designed to help teens steer clear of distractions and dangers.

Students Saving Lives Through Creativity

Can creativity drive culture change? California high school students think so. They are using the arts to make streets safer for everyone. Through the Streets, Art, SAFE Film Competition, student filmmakers produce a filmed Public Service Announcement (PSA) to bring attention to a traffic safety issue or transportation topic. Last month, two students from Angelo Rodriguez High School in Fairfield, California were recognized for their winning PSA about the safety of people in wheelchairs crossing the road. Congratulations to Aaron Phelps and Gianna Jayde Mandapal for their animated PSA, “All Wheels Deserve Respect: Wheelchair Safety.” The OTS was honored to join Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates to formally present Aaron and Gianna the Best PSA Gold – Northern California Region and Best PSA Bronze – AAA Pedestrian Safety Category awards.

OTS Milestone Moment:

Happy Retirement, Sladjana Oulad Daoud!

This month, we’re celebrating the retirement of the OTS' Chief Records Officer Sladjana Oulad Daoud. Her dedication and service have helped shape traffic safety efforts in California for over 20 years. Sladjana spent much of her career as the lead author of the DMV’s DUI Management Information System report. The report provides a comprehensive look at DUI incidents that help inform policies and practices in the state to reduce impaired driving. Sladjana joined the OTS in May 2022, after being part of the DMV team for more than a decade, to lead California's efforts to enhance and maintain the state's traffic records system. In January 2025, Sladjana received the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) Secretary Leadership Award. The inaugural awards recognized individuals who champion work through CalSTA’s Core Four principles of Equity, Safety, Climate Action and Economic Prosperity. Her work has made a lasting impact on safer roads and helped build stronger partnerships statewide. Please join us in thanking Sladjana for her incredible contributions. We wish her all the best on the road ahead!

Safety Snapshot of the Month

This month’s Safety Snapshot was sent to us by the Concord Police Department, which delivered an engaging and informative traffic safety presentation at Tabernacle School in Concord. Big thanks to Concord PD for bringing safety education into the classroom in such a meaningful way!

Publications, resources, training opportunities, and other relevant updates from our state and national traffic safety partners.

💻 FHWA Roadway Safety Webinar Series

Federal Highway Administration held its “Making Rural Roads Safe for All” webinar on May 14, 2025. The recording is now available on our website.

🗓️ June 26: Deadline for FY25 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Opportunity

The final application deadline for the fiscal year 2025 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the SS4A competitive grant program is Thursday, June 26, 2025 at 5:00 PM ET. The June 26 deadline is for all SS4A Grant applications. Learn more about the SS4A Grant Program.

📅 August 23-27 – GHSA Annual Meeting

The Governors Highway Safety Association will hold its 2025 Annual Meeting in Pittsburgh. Be part of the movement for safer streets. Join roadway safety, public health, community, government, nonprofit, law enforcement and business leaders. Visit www.ghsameeting.org to learn more.

🚨 GHSA Board Adopts Safety Tenets for Transportation Reauthorization Bill

The Governors Highway Safety Association voted unanimously this month to approve a set of three core traffic safety principles that should guide development of the upcoming surface transportation reauthorization bill, which Congressional lawmakers are beginning to draft ahead of the September 2026 expiration of current highway programs. Read the news release.

The OTS participates in community outreach and engagement events to connect with residents, local partners, and stakeholders to share information, gather feedback and encourage Californians to Go Safely. These events provide valuable opportunities to build relationships, support local initiatives and ensure our traffic safety efforts are informed by the voices and needs of the communities we serve.

2025 Breathe Bike Festival – On Saturday, May 3, the OTS kicked off "May is Bike Month" by participating in the Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates Breathe Bike Festival held at the Bridge District in West Sacramento, California. Hundreds of bicycle enthusiasts and families from the Sacramento Region attended the event. While we were excited to engage with the community and share safety tips, we were even more thrilled to see our partners at the Yolo County Health and Human Services Agency helping young cyclists stay safe with properly fitted helmets.

AVID Career and Safety Day – On Thursday, May 22, the OTS hosted an interactive traffic safety learning station at Jean Callison Elementary School in Vacaville, California, to engage and educate students about bicycle and pedestrian safety. The kids learned safety and alert tips when riding or walking near traffic. By the end of the day, the students were ready to roll safely into summer.

📌 July 1-31: Vehicle Theft Prevention Month

📌 July 4: Fourth of July Impaired Driving Enforcement

📌 July 7-31: National Speeding Prevention Campaign

📌 August 1-30: Back-to-School Safety Month

📌 August 3-9: National Stop on Red Week

📌 August 13 – September 1: National Summer Mobilization

Keep an eye on your inboxes for campaign templates and social media assets. Additional outreach materials are always available at GoSafelyCA.org/MediaToolkits.

Additional Resources

Release Templates

Law Enforcement Liaison (LEL) Program

OTS Funding At a Glance

OTS Logos

The OTS administers traffic safety grants that deliver traffic safety programs to prevent people from being killed and seriously injured in California. The OTS is a department under the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA).

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