Members of SLO County Friday Night Live promote safe driving at the SLO City Holiday Parade
County of San Luis Obispo Behavioral Health Awarded $141,500 for Youth Traffic Safety Initiatives
Author: Behavioral Health
Date: 12/20/2024 8:00 AM
This year’s grant aims to lower impaired, distracted, and unsafe driving locally by increasing educational events, trainings, and campaigns that target students at local high schools, Cuesta College, and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
The County of San Luis Obispo Behavioral Health Department today announced it has received a $141,500 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS). This year’s grant aims to lower impaired, distracted, and unsafe driving locally by increasing educational events, trainings, and campaigns that target students at local high schools, Cuesta College, and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for individuals 15-24 years old in the United States (CDC). The risk of traffic fatalities increases when factors like alcohol and drugs are present. The most recent crash rankings from the California Office of Traffic Safety show 226 individuals total were killed or injured in San Luis Obispo County due to the involvement of alcohol. That number includes 23 injuries and deaths caused by alcohol use of a driver under the age of 21, causing SLO County to be ranked 17th out of California’s 58 counties in that category.
“The Central Coast is well known for breweries and wineries and with that large exposure comes increased risks around alcohol use for our youth and college-aged community members. We have also seen an increase of cannabis shops locally, which amplifies the risk for substance use and impaired driving,” says Behavioral Health Specialist Hannah Sharon. “Our goal is to educate young people on the Central Coast to recognize the dangers associated with using alcohol and substances, especially while driving, and help prevent negative health outcomes for the entire community.”
The Youth Traffic Safety Initiative grant will allow funding through September 2025 to support:
- Ongoing training and presentations to middle, high school, and college students focusing on alcohol and drug-impaired, distracted, and unsafe driving.
- Educational campaigns focused on impaired and distracted driving, especially during major national traffic safety events such as Winter Mobilization Month, Superbowl, National Distracted Driving Awareness, Summer Mobilization National Teen Safe Driving Week, St. Patrick’s Day, Mardi Gras and more.
- Outreach at local high-traffic events, including high school rallies, Cal Poly Rodeo, community farmers markets, Wine and Beer Festivals, California Mid-State Fair, and local health fairs to increase awareness around safe driving practices.
