Riverbank earns traffic grant

RIVERBANK -- Riverbank Police Services was awarded a $29,000 grant to be used over the next year to improve traffic safety in the city.

The grant, from the California Office of Traffic Safety, covers specialized DUI training for deputies, DUI saturation patrols, motorcycle safety enforcement, distracted driving enforcement, speeding and red light enforcement, and stakeout enforcement to target repeat DUI offenders with suspended or revoked licenses.

Traffic deaths from all causes declined by nearly 39 percent from 2006 to 2010 in California, but state and federal officials anticipate that figures will show a slight rise in 2011.

DUI deaths remain the largest sector, at nearly 30 percent of traffic fatalities.

The grant will help Riverbank respond to an upward trend in two categories: distracted driving and drug-impaired driving.