FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 24, 2001

CONTACT: Sid Gaulden, (803) 896-8755

HODGES ANNOUNCES GRANTS TO ASSIST
HIGHWAY SAFETY PROGRAMS STATEWIDE

COLUMBIA- Gov. Jim Hodges announced today $4,254,694 in grants to local governments, state agencies, and private, nonprofit organizations statewide to help decrease traffic-related crashes, injuries, and fatalities. These grants will support state and community efforts to help prevent traffic crashes by implementing a variety of enforcement and educational programs. The program will be administered on behalf of the Governor’s Office by the Office of Highway Safety of the South Carolina Department of Public Safety.

"One of the leading causes of death and injury for South Carolinians is traffic crashes," Gov. Hodges said. "These grant awards will play an integral role in helping make our roadways a safer place for our family members and will help prevent the needless pain and suffering often caused by traffic crashes."

The grants will be used for programs based upon the following national and state-identified priority areas: alcohol countermeasures, occupant protection, police traffic services, youth alcohol/youth traffic safety programs, community traffic safety programs/safe communities, rail-grade crossing safety and roadway safety. The programs will provide traffic safety education to the driving population as well as increase traffic enforcement efforts throughout the state.

The grant funds are awarded to the state by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) based upon a formula that includes the state population and roadway mileage. The following received grants:

State Agencies

S. C. Commission on Prosecution Coordination:
   Networking Among Agencies on DUI Related Issues


$149,676
S. C. Department of Health & Environmental Control (DHEC):
   Restraining Children Through Social Services
   For Friends, For Life, Drive Free


56,002
98,322

S. C. Department of Insurance:
   Project Baby Save (Held In Trust)


61,050

S. C. Department of Public Safety:
   Safe Communities Program Management
   Occupant Protection Program Management
   State Patrol Enhanced Enforcement Response (SPEER)
   Highway Safety Planning and Administration
   Alcohol Countermeasures Program Management
   Youth Traffic Safety Program Management
   Specialized Training and Conferences
   Police Traffic Services Program Management
   Traffic Safety Prosecutor Pilot Program
   DUI Interview/Interrogation Training Program


380,488
343,637
313,359
265,000
244,122
190,103
120,000
108,859
105,574
14,755

SC Department of Transportation:
   Work Zone Safety Public Information & Education Campaign


176,200

Local Government Agencies and Private, Nonprofit Agencies

Richland County Sheriff’s Department:
   Traffic Enforcement Division


100,488
Greenwood County DAODAS:
   DUI Educator Coordinator


20,089
First Circuit Solicitor’s Office:
   Traffic Safety Prosecuting Unit


52,952
York County Sheriff’s Office:
   Traffic Enforcement Unit


145,623
Lexington Police Department:
   Traffic Enforcement Unit


135,321
Goose Creek Police Department:
   Specialized Traffic Enforcement


86,019
Greenville County Sheriff’s Office:
   Greenville County Safe Communities: Youth DUI Prevention Project


38,087

Tri-Development Center of Aiken County, Inc.:
   Comprehensive DUI Prevention Campaign


58,195
Pee Dee Healthy Start:
   Occupant Protection Awareness Program


55,158
York City Police Department:
   Highway Safety/DUI


77,444
Travelers Rest Police Department:
   Enhanced Traffic Enforcement Program


30,989
SC Operation Lifesaver:
   Grade Crossing Collision Management


7,937
Horry County Solicitor’s Office:
   Driving Under the Influence Prosecutor


85,264
North Charleston Police Department:
   Youth Alcohol Prevention (YAP)


74,084
Oconee County Sheriff’s Department:
   Traffic Enforcement Program


227,939
Mt. Pleasant Police Department:
   Selective DUI Traffic Enforcement


91,819
Benedict College:
   Project Impact


52,112
Barnwell County Sheriff’s Office:
   Advanced Highway Apprehension Program (AHAP)


47,413

Saluda County Sheriff’s Office:
   DUI Task Force


101,176
Clover Police Department:
   Traffic Safety Project


52,675
Chester Police Department:
   Enhanced Traffic Enforcement Program


86,763

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126/OHS/SG/2001

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