Atascadero Police Department receives OTS grant to boost traffic safety

By Atascadero News · Mon Nov 24 2025

ATASCADERO — The Atascadero Police Department has been awarded a $65,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to support ongoing enforcement and education programs aimed at reducing serious injuries and fatalities on local roads. The grant program runs through September 2026.

“We are grateful to receive this grant, which will strengthen our traffic enforcement efforts and improve road safety,” Atascadero Police Department Commander Matt Chesson said. “Through a combination of education and enforcement efforts, our goal is to reduce dangerous driving behaviors, prevent crashes, and make our roads safer for everyone."

The funding will support a variety of initiatives, including DUI checkpoints, high-visibility distracted driving patrols, and enforcement targeting violations that endanger bicyclists and pedestrians. Officers will also focus on speeding, failure to yield, red-light running, and improper lane changes.

Additional programs include community presentations on traffic safety, collaborative operations with neighboring agencies, and officer training or recertification in SFST, ARIDE, and DRE protocols.

“Through focused traffic enforcement and education, we’re working toward a future where everyone will be safe on California roads,” OTS Director Stephanie Dougherty said. “By encouraging people to prioritize safety in their daily choices, we are creating a strong road safety culture together."

The program is funded through the California Office of Traffic Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.