Off the Record - Driving Under the Influence: Spotlight: California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS)- Justice Journal Episode 56

Driving Under the Influence: Spotlight: California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS)- Justice Journal Episode 56

09/13/23 • 28 min

Description: Discussion with longtime driving under the influence (DUI) prevention partner the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) about how the organization works to protect the safety of all those on our highways and roads as well as pedestrians.

Show Notes: Guest Deputy Director of Marketing & Public Affairs Tim Weisberg from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and Lead Deputy District Attorney Gregory Hayes introduce themselves – their backgrounds and current roles.

Weisberg describes his past professional background and his current role managing all OTS marketing, media campaigns and outreach programs.

Hayes explains his past professional background and current role related to DUI cases and the DUI/DUID prosecution and Education Outreach program. Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Weisberg provides background on OTS – its mission, history and how it’s working to keep people safe on our roads and highways. He also details what types of organizations OTS most often partners with and how they support them. One of the ways OTS supports organizations is through grants.

Host, Shelly Orio, discusses how OTS has supported the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office for many years – with grants totaling nearly $8.75 million since 2010. These grants have funded the prosecution of DUI/DUID cases, training for law enforcement officers on DUI/DUID investigations, prevention programs, Crime Lab purchases of specialized equipment to test for certain drugs, many new breath alcohol testing devices and an instrument to analyze alcohol (gas) in blood samples. OTS grants have also funded Crime Lab staff overtime costs to provide on-site assistance at DUI checkpoints.

Hayes shares his experience facilitating the OTS grant, how he has seen these grant dollars put into action and the impact the grant work has had on prosecutions and student education.

Weisberg explains the other types of grants OTS funds and for what types of organizations as well as how organizations can apply for OTS grants.

Weisberg and Hayes talk about new issues and challenges with DUI/DUID trends. They both agree driving under the influence of drugs is the most pressing challenge. Hayes adds that the legalization of marijuana also poses challenges to cases of driving under the influence of marijuana. Weisberg then explains how OTS sets mission priorities and counter measures to different issues impacting road safety.

Weisberg shares what outreach OTS is currently conducting -including PSA campaigns and safety programs such as Go Safely. He also shares other resources available through OTS on driving safety information.

Hayes and Weisberg close by giving their key takeaways from this discussion.

RESOURCES:

https://www.ots.ca.gov/

OTS on social media Facebook @CaliforniaOTS and Instagram and Twitter @ots_ca.

Weisberg describes his past professional background and his current role managing all OTS marketing, media campaigns and outreach programs.

Hayes shares his experience facilitating the OTS grant, how he has seen these grant dollars put into action and the impact the grant work has had on prosecutions and student education.

Weisberg explains the other types of grants OTS funds and for what types of organizations as well as how organizations can apply for OTS grants.

Hayes and Weisberg close by giving their key takeaways from this discussion.

RESOURCES:

https://www.ots.ca.gov/

OTS on social media Facebook @CaliforniaOTS and Instagram and Twitter @ots_ca.

Previous Episode

Driving Under the Influence: Spotlight on Prevention Partners- Justice Journal Episode 55

Description: Discussion with two longtime DUI/DUID prevention partner organizations Arrive Alive, CA and Mothers Against Drunk Driving about prevention programs, focusing on the Real DUI Court in Schools program, the importance of reaching children early and the importance of partnerships.

Show Notes: Guests Arrive Alive CA CEO Angela Webb, MADD Victim Services Specialist Rhonda Campbell and Lead Deputy District Attorney (DDA) Gregory Hayes introduce themselves.

Hayes explains his current role related to DUI cases and the DUI/DUID prosecution and Education Outreach program. Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Hayes states current DUI penal codes. Hayes, Webb and Campbell talk about the scope of the DUI/DUID problem with local and national stats.

Webb and Campbell talk about the importance of reaching kids early – elementary and middle school – to shape their ideas and provide accurate information about DUI/DUID. They explain high school is when they act on their ideas/beliefs. Webb explains the Real DUI Court in Schools program and gives stats on the number of students reached since the start of the program. Hayes and Campbell talk about their involvement in the program. Webb, Campbell and Hayes share the feedback they have received about Real DUI Court in Schools and why they believe the program is so effective among students.

Campbell talks about other MADD programs, how they work and why they are effective.

Webb and Campbell talk about the challenges, changes and successes they have experienced over their time working in prevention. They give insight into the importance of partnerships and who they work with to get the message across to different audiences. They also share what keeps them motivated and energized to continue their work.

Hayes, Campbell and Webb close the discussion by giving advice, resources and key takeaways.

RESOURCES:

https://madd.org/

https://www.arrivealiveca.com/

https://www.sacda.org/in-the-community/community-programs/