NHTSA funding will be used for traffic enforcement on local roadways
Reading, MA — House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading), State Representative Richard Haggerty (D-Woburn) and State Senator Jason Lewis (D-Winchester) joined with the Baker-Polito Administration on November 23 to announce the Reading Police Department has been awarded a $25,000 federal road safety grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
A total of $3.2 million in federal grant funding is being distributed by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) to 161 municipal police departments across Massachusetts to help reduce vehicle crashes, injuries, losses of life, and the resulting economic costs. Reading police will use the grant money for traffic enforcement purposes, including conducting speed enforcement patrols and checkpoints.
“Driving at excessive speeds is often a contributing factor in many traffic accidents that result in fatalities,” said Representative Jones. “This grant funding will be put to good use by the Reading Police Department to help make the town’s roadways safer for motorists as well as pedestrians.”
“This funding will help support our police department in their mission to keep our roadways and the public safe,” said Representative Haggerty. “Local law enforcement officials will be able to utilize these resources to protect the well-being of the public and continue to build strong community policing efforts.”
“Safe roadways benefit drivers, pedestrians, cyclists and the entire community,” said Senator Lewis. “As we enter the particularly treacherous winter months, when short days and inclement weather highlight transportation challenges for many of us, I’m very pleased that this federal grant will help the Reading Police Department keep our roads safe for all.”
According to the NHTSA, 9,378 people were killed in the United States in 2018 due to speeding. During that same year, there were 360 traffic fatalities recorded in Massachusetts, of which 95 were speeding-related fatalities.
Funds awarded under the NHTSA’s Municipal Road Safety Program help pay for local traffic enforcement campaigns such as Drive Sober, Click it or Ticket, and Distracted Driving initiatives. The money can also be used for equipment as well as for non-enforcement traffic safety activities.
