EPSO receives CDOT grant to enhance traffic safety

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office has received a grant to improve traffic safety in the county.

The Sheriff’s Office plans to use the grant to increase safety on the road ways that have caused the most traffic crashes. The money will go towards new speed monitoring trailers and speed detecting equipment. It will also help with putting more deputies in those areas.

These locations are:

The area of Powers at Palmer Park Boulevard with 63 total traffic crashes in 2014 – 2015.
The area of South Academy Boulevard and Highway 85 with 60 total traffic crashes in 2014 – 2015.
The area of Highway 24 at 31st Street with 54 total traffic crashes in 2014 – 2015.
The area of South Academy Boulevard at the PPCC entrance with 27 total traffic crashes in 2014 – 2015.
The area of Highway 24 at Milepost 296 (Waldo Canyon) with 26 total traffic crashes in 2014 – 2015.
The area of Highway 24 at Milepost 294 (Cascade) with 22 total traffic crashes in 2014 – 2015.

Together, these six areas have accounted for over 250 traffic crashes in the past two years, or an average of more than two crashes a week.

By utilizing the grant in September, members of the Sheriff’s Office will be able to conduct high visibility traffic enforcement in those areas. The ultimate goal of this effort is to reduce traffic crashes and fatalities, which affect the entire community.