SACRAMENTO,
Calif. – A $400,000 federal grant will help the California Highway Patrol (CHP)
Native-Tribal Traffic Education Program (TTEP) build and strengthen the
Department’s relationship with Northern California’s Native American
communities.
The
grant will support TTEP – the CHP’s first grant-funded safety program specifically focused on reaching Native American
communities – with funding for traffic safety education to drivers,
pedestrians, and bicyclists on and near California’s tribal lands. With a population
of nearly 720,000, California is home to more Native Americans/Alaskan Natives
than any other state. There are 109
federally recognized tribes, each with its own unique culture, history, and
practices. The program strives to improve service
and public trust
in tribal communities by implementing many of the lifesaving traffic safety
programs the CHP has to offer.
“We are excited
to extend our traffic safety initiatives to tribes and Native American
residents within our communities,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. “The program’s primary goal is to save lives
through education, while proactively building and maintaining relationships
with California’s diverse tribal communities.”
CHP personnel
involved in TTEP serve as resources to Native American/Alaska Native
communities and tribes by sharing traffic safety information, conducting
traffic safety presentations, and participating in community
outreach and tribal cultural events. The
CHP has set a goal of conducting 125 tribal traffic safety presentations and
other community outreach activities within the CHP’s Northern, Golden Gate, and
Valley Divisions each grant cycle, with the intent of expanding the program
statewide.
Program topics
will include seat belt safety, proper use of child safety seats, dangers of
driving under the influence, pedestrian and bicycle education, defensive
driving techniques, distracted driving, teen/parent driving safety, driver
license requirements, and other educational subjects. Traffic safety
presentations will be conducted at schools, public health fairs, tribal events,
and other activities.
Funding
for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic
Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The
mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and
Security.
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