The Tempe Police Department’s Traffic Bureau has been awarded $306,217 in grant funding from the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS), according to a Tempe Police Department news release issued Oct. 22.
The department said the money supplements its existing budget and pays for officers to take part in traffic safety operations and community outreach throughout the year, as well as advanced collision investigation and reconstruction training. GOHS is led by Director J.M. Jesse Torrez.
The funding supports the City of Tempe’s Vision Zero initiative, which aims to eliminate traffic fatalities. According to the release, the Traffic Bureau uses collision data and statistical analysis to identify higher-risk areas and focus enforcement and education where they are most needed.
How the money breaks down
- Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP): $100,000 – aimed at reducing deaths and injuries from speeding, aggressive driving, red-light running and other risky driving, and at ongoing efforts to eliminate street racing in Tempe.
- DUI/Impaired Driving Enforcement: $65,000 – enforcement, education and public awareness to reduce alcohol- and drug-related crashes.
- Youth Alcohol Enforcement: $60,000 – targeting underage drinking and related driving incidents.
- Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety Enforcement: $30,000 – reducing collisions between vehicles and people walking or biking.
- Motorcycle Safety: $29,000 – funds three motorcycle riding classes a year, free to civilians, taught by Tempe Police motorcycle instructors with both classroom and riding instruction.
- Occupant Protection Enforcement: $15,000 – increasing seatbelt and child safety seat use.
- Crash Investigation Training: $7,217 – tuition for officers to attend advanced collision investigation and reconstruction courses.
The department said the grants provide additional resources for public awareness and enforcement that help reduce collisions, save lives and promote a stronger culture of traffic safety in Tempe.
Source: Tempe Police Department news release.