CHP Launches Hwy 12 'Drive To Stay Alive II' Enforcement Campaign

SOLANO COUNTY, CA — More officers from the California Highway Patrol Solano, Stockton and South Sacramento areas will be deployed on Highway 12 in a joint effort to fulfill the CHP's core mission of saving lives. The three CHP jurisdictions are jointly using a one-year federal grant to conduct the "Drive To Stay Alive II" traffic safety campaign in Solano, San Joaquin and Sacramento counties, according to a news release issued Thursday.

The grant period started Oct. 1 and ends Sept. 30, 2018. In addition to enhanced enforcement, the traffic safety effort will include a community-based task force, and public awareness and education campaign to reinforce key traffic safety messages.

"Our public education campaign is centered around the slogan, 'Drive To Stay Alive,' to reduce the number of collisions occurring on Highway 12," said CHP Capt. Mark Headrick, commander of the Solano Area office. "This grant will help keep the momentum from past education and enforcement campaigns and save lives."

According to CHP officials, the agency's Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System shows 81 people were killed or injured in 45 traffic collisions between Oct. 1, 2014, and Sept. 30, 2015 on state highways and unincorporated roads patrolled by the CHP Solano, Stockton and South Sacramento Area jurisdictions. Top factors in the crashes were unsafe speed, improper turning, automobile right-of-way, impaired driving and stop sign/signal violations.

Grant funding for the "Drive To Stay Alive II" enforcement campaign is being provided by the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, officials say.

Patch file photo by Maggie Avants