5 million awarded to Governor's Office of Highway Safety

Associated Press
Oct. 13, 2006 12:00 AM

The Governor's Office of Highway Safety has been awarded more than $5million in federal funds to combat alcohol-related crashes and promote motorcycle safety around Arizona.

“This funding will allow us to make strides in reducing traffic-related fatalities and injuries in Arizona,” Gov. Janet Napolitano said Wednesday. “With the tremendous growth across the state, it is imperative we continue to provide law enforcement with the tools necessary to remove impaired drivers (and) to educate both motorcyclists and motorists to share the road.”

Last year in Pima County, the number of motorcycle riders killed was more than three times what it was in 2001 when only eight riders were killed, according to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The money in the DUI fund will be split among nine task forces, including the Southern Arizona Task Force, to go toward equipment and overtime for officers.

This information is courtesy of http://www.azcentral.com/