SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - The California Highway Patrol (CHP) and the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) are partnering on a new campaign aimed at reducing the number of crashes caused by impaired drivers through enforcement and education efforts. The yearlong, California Impaired Driving Reduction (CIDR) campaign, which began October 1, 2019, continues through September 30, 2020.
The CIDR grant provides the CHP with funding to conduct additional driving under the influence (DUI) saturation patrols, checkpoints, and traffic safety education efforts throughout California. These efforts are designed to remove DUI drivers from the roadway and educate the public regarding the dangers of impaired driving. Additionally, the CHP will actively participate in California’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over efforts.
According to the CHP’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System data, in 2017, there were 594 deaths and more than 11,000 injuries due to DUI crashes within the CHP’s jurisdiction. Each one of these injuries and deaths represents a preventable tragedy and a continued need to focus efforts on reducing impaired driving.
“Reducing impaired driving through education and enforcement remains a high priority for the CHP,” said CHP Commissioner Warren Stanley. “This campaign provides the CHP with additional resources to lessen the impacts of impaired driving, while continuing to make California’s roadways a safer place to travel.”
The CHP continues to encourage the public to have a plan before getting on the road. In addition to alcohol, driving under the influence of cannabis, medications, and/or drugs is illegal and dangerous. Always designate a sober driver, take public transportation, or ride-share. There is always a better option than getting behind the wheel while impaired.
The CHP would like to remind the public to call 9-1-1 if they observe a suspected DUI driver. Be prepared to provide the dispatcher a location, direction of travel, and vehicle description.
If you have questions regarding impaired driving, please contact your local CHP Area office.
Funding for this program was provided by a grant from OTS through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Running Rivals
Supervisor Candidates Face-Off at Mission Oaks
CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - Candidates for Susan Peters’ seat on Sacramento Board of Supervisors faced voters last week in Carmichael. Mission Oaks North Neighborhood Association ran a forum that packed a room at Mission Oaks Community Center. Association President Cathy Cook chaired the evening’s town hall-style gathering. Taken from an audience of 70, questions raised matters of community concern. Homelessness; property taxes; the need to protect the American River Parkway; park improvements and the unsatisfactory state of District 3 roads were hot-button issues.
After introductions, each of the six candidates had a minute to speak to each question. “They were well-informed, sincere and statesman-like,” observed Cathy Cook. “I was impressed by what they said. The candidates were cordial among themselves and to the attendees. Each had party affiliations but I felt they were running because they love and care about our area. Meetings like this are a great opportunity for voters. We all had one-on-one conversations with the candidates; these will help us to make decisions.”
Declared candidates for Susan Peter’s District 3 seat are: Charles Crowder: real estate developer; lives in Carmichael; Rich Desmond: CHP chief; Carmichael resident; Catrayel Wood: Senior Budget Analyst (Judicial Council of California); lives in Fair Oaks; Tiffany Mock: business administrator; resident of Carmichael; Gregg Fishman: SMUD board member; Arden Arcade resident; Matthew Ceccato: District Director Office for Congressman Ami Bera; lives in Arden Arcade.
More candidate town halls – in Foothill Farms, Carmichael and Arden Arcade neighborhoods of District 3 – are planned before the Primary elections of March 2020. Several Democratic clubs will convene a forum on Sunday, October 27 at the Conzelmann Center (Howe park) 2201 Cottage Way. This meeting begins at 2:30 pm.
SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MP) - On October 22, 2019 at approximately 4:32 am, The California Highway Patrol (CHP) received a call of a multiple vehicle traffic collision involving a motorcycle on I-80 westbound near the Antelope Scales. CHP officers responded to the collision scene and learned that a 38-year old man out of Los Angeles had been riding his 2009 Kawasaki motorcycle westbound on I-80 and was approaching the Antelope Scales when he collided into the rear of the sedan (2012 Ford Fusion) that was driving in front of him. This caused the motorcyclist to be fully ejected from his motorcycle. Both the rider and the bike were sliding on the roadway and came to rest in the #4 westbound traffic lane directly in the path of a big rig (2019 Peterbuilt with box trailer). The driver of the big rig was unable to stop or avoid the rider and collided with him. The motorcyclist was pronounced dead on scene at 4:42 am.
The #2 thru #5 traffic westbound lanes were closed until 6:20 am while CHP officers conducted their on-scene investigation. The drivers of both the sedan (a 58-year old woman from Citrus Heights) and the big rig (a 64-year old man from Granite Bay) were not injured, remained on-scene, and cooperated with the investigation. The cause of this collision is under investigation. It is not known if drugs or alcohol were a factor in this collision however no arrests were made on scene.
Any persons who may have witnessed this collision or who can provide any additional information regarding this collision should call Officer Mike Zerfas at the North Sacramento Area CHP office at (916) 348-2300 or Officer Amy Walker by cell phone at (916) 798-0975. Follow us on Twitter @chpnsac or like us on Facebook.com/chpnorthsac
CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - At approximately 12:00 PM, unknown suspect(s) fired at least two rounds at a residence on the 6300 block of Mariposa. There were no injuries as a result of the shooting. There is no evidence to suggest that rounds were fired at or in the direction of San Juan High School. The suspects were described as one white male juvenile and two black male juveniles. Witnesses reported the suspects fled on foot after the shooting toward San Juan High School.
At the time of the incident, San Juan High School students were out of their classrooms on lunch break. At approximately 12:04 PM San Juan High School was locked down, and officers started searching the campus.
Due to the violent nature of the crime and our concern for the safety of our students, CHPD Officers searched every building, room, bathroom, and storage closet for the suspects and evidence. The suspects were not located.
Throughout the investigation, we coordinated with parents, students, school administrators, and faculty. We would like to thank the California Highway Patrol, Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department, San Juan School District, San Juan High School Staff, as well as Safe Schools for their assistance and cooperation.
The safety of our students and teachers and the surrounding community are our number one concern. We deeply care for our schools and will continue our efforts to make them safe havens for the kids in our community.
CHPD continues to investigate this incident. If anyone has information or knowledge related to this investigation, we ask that you please call the CHPD tip line at (916) 727-5524
CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - The Citrus Heights Police Department Traffic Unit will be conducting a DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint on 10/25/2019, at an undisclosed location within the City of Citrus Heights between the hours of 8:00 PM and 2:00 AM.
The deterrent effect of DUI checkpoints is a proven resource in reducing the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol or drug involved crashes. Research shows that crashes involving an impaired driver can be reduced by up to 20 percent when well publicized DUI checkpoints and proactive DUI patrols are conducted routinely.
In California, this deadly crime led to 802 deaths and nearly 24, 000 serious injuries in 2012 because someone failed to designate a sober driver. Nationally, the latest data shows nearly 10, 000 were killed by an impaired driver.
Officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment and checking drivers for proper licensing which will only delay motorists momentarily. Specially trained officers will be available to evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving, which now accounts for a growing number of impaired driving crashes. Drugs which may impair driving not only include illegal narcotics, but many prescription drugs, marijuana, and even some over-the-counter medications.
DUI Checkpoints are placed in locations based on collision statistics and frequency of DUI arrests affording the greatest opportunity for achieving drunk and drugged driving deterrence. In addition, locations are chosen with safety considerations for the officers and the public.
Drivers caught driving impaired can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to include jail time, fines, fees, DUI classes, and other expenses that can exceed $10, 000.
Funding for this checkpoint is provided to Citrus Heights Police Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. We would like to remind everyone to ‘Report a Drunk Driver – Call 9-1-1’.
SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - Shawn Yadon, CEO of the California Trucking Association (CTA), issued the following statement in response to the California State Transportation Agency’s statement on Governor Gavin Newsom’s executive order which proposes to realign billions of dollars from critical road construction and repair to instead fund unspecified climate change projects. In 2017, the California Trucking Association (CTA) supported Senate Bill 1– and subsequent ballot measures – in order to create a reliable source of revenue to fix California’s crumbling infrastructure.
“Making the decision to support fuel taxes was not without its challenges. Promises were made to the motoring public to fix California’s deteriorating roads and bridges. These promises must be kept.
“If the effect of the executive order is to divert funds from road and bridge repairs, these projects will once again be placed on the back burner, leading to increased congestion and unsafe roads for all motorists.
“CTA and its members will continue to work with the administration and the legislature to strike a workable solution that represents the clear will of California’s voting public and trucking industry.”
Since 1934, the California Trucking Association has been serving the commercial motor carrier industry in California and the companies that provide products and services to the trucking industry. A critical and vital component of California’s economy, nearly 80 percent of California communities depend solely on trucks to deliver their goods. Our carrier membership ranges from individual owner-operators, to small for-hire fleets, to the largest national and international carriers. Allied members of the California Trucking Association range from businesses involved with truck and trailer sales, parts and service, insurance, legal services and all other businesses that support the trucking industry.
The California Trucking Association promotes leadership in the California motor carrier industry, advocates sound transportation policies to all levels of government, and works to maintain a safe, environmentally responsible and efficient California transportation goods movement system.
SMUD Helps Sponsor the Hubble Space Telescope Exhibit
SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - Among a crowd of Sacramento leaders, SMUD announced a partnership with the Aerospace Museum of California and a $50,000 sponsorship to host NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope Exhibit for local students to experience a once-in-a-lifetime STEM education experience.
The announcement came as dozens of area leaders, residents and children got a sneak peek of the exhibit as it opened its doors to the public for Fall 2019.
“This is an incredible opportunity to expose students to science, technology, engineering and math in a new and innovative way,” said SMUD CEO and General Manager Arlen Orchard. “Our goal is to help the museum inspire and expose students from all over the region to the expansive possibilities in STEM education and STEM-related careers, so they truly can reach for the stars.”
The exhibit features a scaled replica of NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope and includes hands-on, interactive activities that allow students to explore the technology used in space to gaze at distant stars, planets and galaxies. They will also be able to learn about the new James Webb Space Telescope and how it will contribute to our knowledge into the future.
The exhibit will be on display through December 2019 and is expected to draw thousands of visitors.
In partnership with the museum, SMUD’s goal is to reach 15,000 students with this STEM education experience, particularly those in historically underserved communities. A large portion of the grant provides transportation funding for Title 1 schools, as well as free participation in the program; teacher membership; and continuing education resources.
“We’re excited to host this amazing exhibit in California for the very first time,” stated Executive Director for the Aerospace Museum Tom Jones. “The Hubble Space Telescope exhibit is a perfect complement to our other artifacts that can help tell the story of aerospace from the beginning to well into the future.”
Funding for this project comes from SMUD’s Sustainable Communities Initiative that seeks to leverage resources for community partners in order to provide increased access to employment, healthcare, STEM education and more. This is one of many projects that will enhance the Sacramento community