Your Monthly Update
May 2020
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Citations Nearly Double For Speeding More Than 100 MPH During COVID-19 Pandemic
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Traffic on freeways and highways is down 35% from the same time last year, but it has not stopped some drivers from hitting the gas.
Speeding on roadways has become a significant traffic safety issue since the state's stay-at-home order began March 19.
According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), 2,493 citations were issued to drivers for going more than 100 mph from March 19 to April 19, nearly double the 1,335 citations issued for speeding more than 100 mph during the same period last year.
“Fewer cars on the road doesn’t give drivers the green light to travel over the speed limit,” OTS Director Barbara Rooney said. “Driving at a safe speed when you must go out is one way to keep you and your family safe during this pandemic.”
The OTS is working with Caltrans and the CHP to raise awareness about the dangers of speeding, including the use of more than 700 electronic highway signs to display speed-related messages. For example, "If You Must Travel, Do Not Speed" and "Keep Essential Workers Safe. Do Not Speed."
The OTS is also posting a series of messages on social media, encouraging drivers to be safe while running essential errands by
following the speed limit
.
CHP offices throughout the state are reminding drivers the open roads are not an excuse to speed, highlighting enforcement efforts to slow drivers down.
Last month, the CHP
cited 14 drivers
for speeding in excess of 100 mph from San Diego to Kern County over a period of just three hours. The fastest driver was clocked at 119 mph in CHP's Oceanside area.
Those caught driving at speeds of 100 mph or more face heavy fines and the potential suspension of their driver's license.
"It is alarming to see the number of citations officers are writing for excessive speeds on California roadways,” said CHP Commissioner Warren Stanley in a
press release
.
“Higher speeds can lead to much more serious injuries and significantly increase the chance of death should a crash occur. Keep yourself and those on the road around you safe. Slow down and drive at a safe, legal speed.”
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UC Davis Study: Crashes Down 50% Statewide During
Stay-At-Home Order
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In the midst of an unprecedented pandemic sweeping the state and country, there is a bit of a silver lining: traffic crashes resulting in deaths and injuries are down. Way down.
That's according to a report released by the Road Ecology Center at the University of California, Davis. Titled
“Impact of COVID-19 on California Traffic Crashes
,"
the report found crashes were reduced by half during the first three weeks of the state's stay-at-home order compared to the same time period in 2019.
According to the report, the average daily number of crashes was 450 after the stay-at-home order went into effect March 19. Before March 19, the average number of crashes in the three weeks prior was 1,056. There was also a 40-50% decrease in trauma injuries for drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists reported among Sacramento-area hospitals.
From March 19 to April 19, Caltrans reported an approximately 35% decline in traffic volume on state roads compared to the same time last year, which could also be attributed to less incidents of serious crashes and deaths.
"The reduction in traffic accidents is unparalleled," the report said. "There is no equivalent in our recent transportation history to such large changes in vehicle movement on our state and local roads."
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May is Bicycle & Motorcycle Safety Month
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May is Bicycle and Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and the OTS is reminding everyone to share the road safely.
Since the state's "stay-at-home" directive took effect March 19 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are looking to get some fresh air and ride their bike or motorcycle. But that doesn't mean traffic safety rules go by the wayside.
“If you are out riding a bicycle during the current pandemic, the same safety rules and habits still apply,” said OTS Directory Barbara Rooney.
“To maximize safety, we encourage you to both be aware of your surroundings and practice physical distancing for the sake of you, your family, and others.”
Traditional educational events and trainings held by grantees throughout the state for Bicycle and Motorcycle Safety Month have been adapted due to COVID-19. However, education messages are still being pushed on social media, and agencies continue to offer programs to help riders of all ages "go safely."
For drivers, that means giving bicyclists extra room when passing (at least three feet), looking over your shoulder to scan for bicyclists and motorcycle riders, and always keeping a safe distance.
For bike riders, that means following physical distancing measures and maintaining at least six feet of space between other riders and those out walking. Both bicyclists and motorcyclists can protect themselves and others by making themselves visible: wearing brightly colored clothing and using lights.
We're all in this together, even when we are told to be physically apart.
The OTS has developed a
social media toolkit
to promote safe riding behaviors, including suggested messaging and graphics
available for download
. We encourage all grantees to remind people about being safe when they need to go out and exercise!
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The OTS Releases 2020-2023
Strategic Management Plan
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The OTS is excited to announce the release of our
2020-2023 Strategic Management Plan
, which serves as a road map to address the traffic safety challenges ahead of us and our commitment to road safety.
"As California assumes a leadership role in an ever-changing transportation landscape, the OTS is ready to make our vision of a California where every person will 'go safely' a reality," OTS Director Barbara Rooney said.
"The Strategic Management Plan will help guide us over the next four years on the road to zero traffic deaths."
The Strategic Management Plan includes a new vision for the OTS: "Everyone traveling on California roadways will go safely," and enhanced mission: "Effectively administer traffic safety grants that deliver innovative programs and eliminate traffic fatalities and injuries on California roadways."
In addition, the Strategic Management Plan establishes a set of core values focused on service, respect, innovation and passion. This means improving data collection systems that allow data to drive our traffic safety priorities, increase collaboration with traffic safety partners, placing value on new and differing ideas to build upon our traffic safety efforts, as well as be a recognized and trusted leader at the state and national level.
Our passion is saving lives. In these unprecedented times, we are now more than ever looking forward to collaborating with and leveraging knowledge from all of our grantees and partners.
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New OTS Employee Spotlight: Jeff Rodriguez
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The OTS is excited to introduce our new Law Enforcement Liaison Jeff Rodriguez. Jeff started May 1 and has more than 20 years of law enforcement experience. Jeff started his career in 1991, most recently working as a senior motorcycle officer with the Daly City Police Department in the Bay Area. He joined the traffic unit in 2001 and held a variety of roles, including SWAT team member, Emergency Vehicle Operations Course and motorcycle instructor, field training officer, as well as academy instructor and traffic safety grant coordinator.
Jeff looks forward to sharing his passion, experience and knowledge with other departments and inspire them to work on traffic safety plans that save lives. Just the type of passion and commitment to traffic safety we strive for!
Jeff is married with four children (pictured above is Madeleine, or "Mimi", who is now 12). His oldest daughter, Kimberly, is following in her father's footsteps as a police officer, and just started with the Fairfield Police Department after beginning her career with the CHP. His oldest, Josh, serves in the U.S. Navy.
In his free time, Jeff enjoys spending time with family on their houseboat, surfing, running and working out.
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Going Digital with Car
Seat
Safety Education
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The COVID-19 pandemic is requiring families to stay at home as much as possible, but there are still times when bringing a child on an essential errand is needed.
To support parents and caregivers, Safe Kids Worldwide has partnered with the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association to provide online and virtual tools that show parents how to properly use and install car seats.
Due to COVID-19 health and safety concerns, many in-person inspection hours are not being offered. However, the OTS is working with car seat programs we fund to offer virtual car seat checks, including Contra Costa Health Services, Rancho Cordova Police Department, San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department and Ventura County Fire Department.
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to reach out to a
Safe Kids Coalition coordinator
in their area to receive help installing and inspecting a car seat. They may also contact their
local CHP office
to determine availability in their area, which could be assistance over the phone, or in-person on a case-by-case basis.
Last month, Anaheim Police Department Sgt. Rick Boyer taught a new dad (from a safe distance) how to safely install his newborn's car seat. You can watch Sgt. Boyer in action on the
Anaheim Police Department's Facebook page
.
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This is a difficult time for all of us and we are in need of good news. Here is how our grantees are bringing care, joy and happiness to the communities they serve.
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Happy Quarantine Birthday!
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Happy Quarantine Birthday! The Orange County Sheriff's Department made special stops and drive-bys at homes across Orange County to wish kids a happy birthday. "Birthdays are special, and even though we're staying home to keep each other safe, we can still celebrate (safely of course)!" the Department said in a
video posted on Twitter
.
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Officer Tran with the
Elk Grove Police Department
spent his morning delivering over 60 bowls of Pho to seniors. Part of a local project called Pho for Seniors, Officer Tran is another example of how our law enforcement partners are lending additional helping hands in communities across the state of California.
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COVID-19 Resources
Sign Up:
Local
Emergency Alerts
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The California Office of Traffic Safety administers
traffic safety grants that deliver innovative programs and eliminate traffic fatalities and injuries on California roadways.
The OTS is a department under the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA)
.
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Contact the OTS Marketing & Public Affairs Team
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Copyright © 2020
OTS Marketing and Public Affairs
All Rights Reserved
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