SACRAMENTO — Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Tuesday, Dec. 2, that California is investing more than $140 million in federal funding to improve traffic safety, as the state continues to see gains in roadway safety, according to a California Highway Patrol press release.
The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) is awarding 495 grants to support bicycle and pedestrian safety, education programs, and enforcement initiatives aimed at reducing crashes and saving lives.
“We’re reshaping traffic safety in California,” Newsom said. “Our investments are making our roads safer, our communities stronger, and our infrastructure more resilient. While there’s still more work to do, we’re doing it together, up and down the state, making smart, targeted improvements that will protect Californians for years to come.”
The funding adds to $14.6 billion in dedicated state transportation investments. As part of a joint initiative by the California State Transportation Agency and the California Health and Human Services Agency, the state has set a goal to reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 30% by 2035. The effort complements nearly $5 billion in projects under Newsom’s “build more, faster” agenda, including road upgrades and expanded safe transportation options.
“Thanks to Governor Newsom’s leadership, California is making bold, data-driven investments that prioritize safety and save lives,” said CalSTA Secretary Toks Omishakin. “From equipping first responders with life-saving tools like the ‘Jaws of Life’ to supporting innovations such as UCLA’s prehospital blood transfusion pilot, these historic grants reflect our commitment to building a transportation system where every person—whether walking, biking, or driving—can travel safely.”
The OTS funds hundreds of programs statewide, targeting impaired and distracted driving, seat belt use, bicycle and pedestrian safety, emergency medical services, police traffic services, and traffic records. The funding also supports the “Go Safely, California” program, a statewide public education campaign.
“Every person deserves to be safe walking, biking, or driving,” said OTS Director Stephanie Dougherty. “We are committed to saving lives through education, targeted enforcement, and cultivating a strong road safety culture that encourages people to put safety first.”
Nearly $22.3 million in grants will go to the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to support 20 statewide and local programs aimed at reducing traffic fatalities and injuries.
“These grants are a vital investment in the safety of every Californian who uses our roads,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. “From educating young drivers to preventing impaired and distracted driving, this funding allows officers to engage directly with communities and take meaningful action to reduce crashes and save lives.”
Statewide initiatives include:
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Reduce Drunk Driving: $6 million for DUI checkpoints, patrols, and public education campaigns.
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Speed Prevention, Education and Enforcement Deterrence: $2.2 million for outreach and enforcement to reduce crashes from speeding and aggressive driving.
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Teen Impaired Driving Education: $2 million for programs including Every 15 Minutes to prevent impaired teen driving.
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Sideshow, Takeover, Racing Education and Enforcement Taskforce: $1.7 million to curb illegal street racing and sideshows.
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Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Programs: $1.25 million for enhanced enforcement and public awareness campaigns near schools and bus stops.
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Teen Distracted Driving: $900,000 to raise awareness of distracted driving.
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California Restraint Safety Education and Training: $850,000 for child safety seat programs.
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Get Educated and Ride Safe: $650,000 for motorcycle safety and helmet use.
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Start Smart Teen Driver Safety Education: $575,000 for officer-led classes for new teen drivers.
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El Protector: $450,000 for Spanish-language traffic safety education.
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Native-Tribal Traffic Education: $425,000 for tribal community outreach.
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Adult Distracted Driving: $350,000 for education and enforcement.
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Keeping Everyone Safe: $225,000 for programs supporting older drivers.
Other projects funded include:
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$54 million for more than 200 law enforcement agencies to target dangerous driving behaviors and support education programs.
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$13 million for bicycle and pedestrian safety programs, including Safe Routes to Schools activities.
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$8.38 million for child safety seat programs through county health departments and nonprofits.
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Nearly $3 million for emergency medical services, including extrication equipment and digital alert technology.
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$921,895 for UCLA’s prehospital blood transfusion pilot program and trauma data research.
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$900,000 for the Southern California Association of Governments to develop a predictive traffic safety data platform.
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$750,000 for Caltrans to develop a GenAI tool identifying areas for bike and pedestrian improvements.
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$429,500 for UC Berkeley and the California Department of Public Health to support a Safe System Leadership Institute and pilot programs.
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$283,000 for Amador and Calaveras county health departments to fund traffic safety programs in rural communities.
The grants will run through Sept. 30, 2026.
The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of safety, service and security.
Source: CHP Press Release
