The Cathedral City Police Department has been awarded a $55,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to bolster its traffic enforcement and education programs aimed at reducing serious injuries and deaths on local roads. The grant program will run through September 2026.
“We are grateful to receive this grant, which will strengthen our traffic enforcement efforts and improve road safety,” said Deputy Chief Rick Sanchez. “Through a combination of education and enforcement efforts, our goal is to reduce dangerous driving behaviors, prevent crashes, and make our roads safer for everyone.”
Comprehensive Safety Initiatives
The grant funding will support a wide range of programs and resources designed to address the most pressing traffic safety concerns in Cathedral City, including:
Impaired Driving Prevention: DUI checkpoints and patrols will target suspected impaired drivers, while officers will receive training and recertification in Standard Field Sobriety Testing (SFST), Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE), and Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) protocols.
Distracted Driving Enforcement: High-visibility operations will focus on drivers violating California’s hands-free cell phone law, one of the leading causes of preventable accidents.
Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety: Specialized enforcement operations will address dangerous driver behaviors that put people biking or walking at risk.
Crash Prevention: Officers will focus on the top violations that cause crashes, including speeding, failure to yield, stop sign and red-light running, and improper turning or lane changes.
Regional Collaboration: The department will work alongside neighboring agencies to create a unified approach to traffic safety across the Coachella Valley.
Building a Culture of Road Safety
“Through focused traffic enforcement and education, we’re working toward a future where everyone will be safe on California roads,” said OTS Director Stephanie Dougherty. “By encouraging people to prioritize safety in their daily choices, we are creating a strong road safety culture together.”
The funding for this program was provided through a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, with support from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
For more information, contact Sergeant Daniel Anes at Danes@CathedralCity.gov or 760-202-2476.
