CHP receives grant for year-long crash reduction safety campaign

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The California Highway Patrol in Bakersfield has received a grant to initiate a one-year traffic safety campaign to make highways safer and deter dangerous driving habits in Kern County.

Since Oct. 1, CHP has deployed officers to conduct safety stops along highways 99, 178, 58, 184, 43 and on unincorporated roads where CHP has jurisdiction.

Between Oct. 1, 2021 and Sept. 30, 2022, 98 people were killed and 2,182 others were injured in crashes on state highways and unincorporated roads in Kern County, according to the Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System.

The grants funds will also be used to create a task-force in efforts to raise-awareness and combat the leading causes of crashes which include:

• dangers of speeding
• unsafe turns
• automobile right-of-way
• driving under the influence
• traffic signals and signs
• pedestrian violations
• other risky driving behaviors

CHP officers will also be focusing on making traffic stops for distracted driving and seat belt violations, officials said in a release.

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