In an effort to save lives from traffic crashes attributed to impaired drivers, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Modesto Area office will use a federal grant to conduct a regional campaign in Stanislaus County. The project began on Oct. 1, 2020 and ends on Sept. 30, 2021.

The CHP Modesto Area will deploy officers on enhanced enforcement patrols particularly on Interstate 5; State Routes 4, 33, 99, 108, 132, 165, and 219; and unincorporated roads within the CHP Modesto Area jurisdiction in Stanislaus County.

“With a proactive approach to raise awareness and eliminate driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs, we can continue to reduce the number of crashes occurring in Stanislaus County,” said CHP Captain Shane Ferriera, Commander of the Modesto Area office. “This grant keeps the momentum going by removing impaired drivers from public roadways.”

According to the CHP’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System, there were 248 people injured and killed in traffic crashes involving impaired drivers on CHP jurisdictional roadways within CHP Modesto Area between Oct. 1, 2017, and Sept. 30, 2018. This CHP traffic safety effort also includes a community-based task force and a public awareness and education campaign to help reinforce the dangers of driving while impaired.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. While alcohol remains the worst offender for DUI crashes, the CHP supports the new effort from OTS that aims to drive awareness that “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.” Prescription medications and marijuana can also be impairing by themselves, or in combination with alcohol, and can result in a DUI arrest.