The Irvine Police Department has been awarded $539,000 in grant funds from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS). This includes $490,000 dedicated to ongoing enforcement and education programs, and an additional $20,000 for motorcycle safety initiatives. The funding will provide special traffic enforcement, community outreach, and enhanced traffic safety programs in our community through September 30, 2026.
“We continue to have a strong partnership with OTS with a focus on driver and pedestrian safety,” Chief Michael Kent said. “Our main focal point is continuing education, community engagement, and collision reduction.”
Program goals:
- Running DUI checkpoints and extra patrols to stop drivers who do not have a license, have a suspended license, or are suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Giving traffic safety talks to students and community members about distracted driving, impaired driving, and how to stay safe riding a bike.
- Patrolling busy intersections where there have been more crashes involving people walking or riding bikes.
- Conducting E-bike education classes for adults and juveniles.
- Holding motorcycle safety operations in places where there are many riders and more motorcycle crashes.
- Offering motorcycle safety classes for Irvine residents.
- Enforcing speeding, red light, and stop sign violations.
- Tracking DUI information to help identify repeat DUI offenders.
- Providing special training to help officers recognize and arrest drivers who may be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The funding also includes a $29,000 grant to support our child passenger safety program. It will be used for car seat/booster seat education, officer training, and purchasing child safety seats to distribute to families in need.
Funding for these programs were provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
