CHP Contra Costa receives state grant to reduce DUI-related crashes

By CHP – Contra Costa

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) Contra Costa Area will use grant funding to start a regional campaign in Contra Costa County aimed at stopping drivers suspected of driving under the influence and reducing impaired driving-related crashes. This one-year project ends on September 30, 2024.

The CHP Contra Costa Area will deploy officers to conduct enforcement operations on Interstates 80 and 680, State Routes 4, 24, and 242; and unincorporated roadways within Contra Costa County.

“We are taking a proactive approach to keep our roadways safe,” said CHP Captain Ben Moser, Commander of the Contra Costa Area office. “This campaign will use of combination of education and enforcement to help make Contra Costa County roadways a safer place to travel.”

According to the CHP’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System, there were nine people killed and 170 people injured in traffic crashes involving impaired drivers within the CHP Contra Costa Area’s jurisdiction between October 1, 2020, and September 30, 2021. This CHP traffic safety effort also includes a community-based task force and public awareness and education to help reinforce the dangers of driving while impaired.

The CHP would like to take this opportunity to remind the public, “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.” Alcohol, cannabis, prescription medication, illegal drugs, and some over-the-counter drugs can affect a person’s ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. Remember to always plan ahead, designate a sober driver, or arrange for other safe alternative transportation, such as public transit or taxi/ride-hailing service.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.