Felony and repeat misdemeanor DUI offenders are over-represented in traffic crashes involving alcohol and other drugs, often with tragic results. An $85,500 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety to the Placer County Probation Department will help make sure that these worst-of-the-worst offenders are complying with all court orders.

“Driving under the influence is a serious crime and can change lives instantly,” said Placer County Probation Department Chief Marshall Hopper. “The Placer County Probation Department is committed to providing intensive supervision to our repeat DUI offender population. This grant helps us hold high-risk DUI offenders accountable by ensuring they are following the orders of the Court and attending appropriate rehabilitative programming. These intensive services will ultimately improve safety on our roadways in Placer County.”

The grant will fund officers to intensely monitor drivers on probation for felony DUI or multiple misdemeanor DUI convictions. Supervision for these high-risk offenders will include unannounced home searches, random alcohol and drug testing, and special monitoring to ensure compliance with court-ordered DUI education and treatment programs.

The Intensive Probation Supervision for High-Risk Felony and Repeat DUI Offenders grant is aimed at reducing the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol and other drug-related collisions in the county. In 2013, the most recent year for which full data is available, four were killed and 138 injured in such crashes in Placer County.

“Overall, California’s roadways are among the safest in the nation,” said OTS Director Rhonda Craft. “But to meet future mobility, safety, and accessible transportation objectives, we have to work very hard together to reach our common goal—zero deaths on our roadways. The Office of Traffic Safety and the Placer County Probation Department want to work with everyone to create a culture of traffic safety from Roseville to Auburn and the state.”

Funding for the grant is from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Source: Placer County