SANTA CRUZ >> Law enforcement agencies from across the county have announced new traffic safety grants largely aimed at expanding local bicycle and pedestrian safety measures.

The California Office of Traffic Safety announced last month the award of nearly 500 grants statewide to the tune of $149 million, exceeding last year’s grant by $21 million, thanks to funding hikes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Local recipients include the Santa Cruz Police Department, Watsonville Police Department, Scotts Valley Police Department and the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency.

The grant-funded efforts, scheduled to extend through September, come as California experiences about 12 roadway deaths a day, according to the Office of Traffic Safety. The agency said that among overall traffic deaths in 2022, pedestrians accounted for 26%, at a rate of 1,158 fatalities.

The Watsonville Police Department was among Santa Cruz County’s bike and pedestrian safety award recipients, garnering nearly $122,000, plus another $77,00 for police services. The agency will partner with Ecology Action on deploying its programming, according to a department media release.

Watsonville Police Chief Jorge Zamora was quoted in the release as saying, “Ultimately, we’re working toward building more walkable and bike-friendly neighborhoods where everyone can travel safely and confidently.”

Some planned safety programming includes community bicycle and walk street “audits” in areas with a high number of fatalities and serious injury crashes, Open Streets event participation and youth bicycle training and helmet fitting events. Additional activities include community bike rides, walking field trips with older residents and walking safety education for people who are experiencing homelessness, according to the release.

The Santa Cruz Police Department also was awarded nearly $73,000 for its bike and pedestrian safety program, plus $73,000 for police traffic services. The program is expected to promote safe practices for pedestrians and bicyclists, as well as emphasize drivers’ responsibility to look out for other people using roads and paths.

“By focusing on education, awareness, and promoting safe practices, we aim to reduce crashes and prevent injuries,” Santa Cruz’s Lt. Wes Morey was quoted in a release. “Ultimately, we’re working toward building more walkable and bike-friendly neighborhoods where everyone can travel safely and confidently.”

The state awarded the Scotts Valley Police Department $50,000 from the same safety fund, with a tighter stated focus on traffic enforcement such as DUI checkpoints and patrols, distracted and dangerous driver enforcement, community presentations and officer training and recertifications related to drug and alcohol traffic stops.

Scotts Valley police Sgt. Sjon Tol was quoted in a release saying, “By increasing enforcement of traffic laws and focusing on high-risk areas, we aim to reduce dangerous driving behaviors, prevent crashes, and make our roads safer for everyone.”

Separately, the state awarded Scotts Valley police a $71,400 grant for a traffic records improvement project to report crash and citation data faster and more efficiently. The state-of-the-art electronic system will be used for documenting crash and citation data to focus on high-priority traffic resource areas.

An additional awardee included three grants for the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency to support enforcement of drug-impaired driving, pedestrian/bicycle safety and occupant protection, adding up to a total of nearly $671,000.