The Los Angeles Police Department has been awarded a $965,116 grant from the California Highway Patrol to implement a program to deter dangerous and illegal driving that increases the risk of crashes and threatens public safety.

“Driving under the influence of drugs, including marijuana, endangers the safety of people on the road,” said Capt. Alfred Pasos, commanding officer of the LAPD’s Traffic Group, which includes four divisions throughout the city. “This funding allows the LAPD to train officers and prosecutors, provide educational outreach to businesses and acquire equipment that will assist with the investigation and prosecution of DUID drivers.”

The grant will provide funding for DUI investigation training, as well as community outreach with licensed cannabis dispensaries to disseminate DUID-related traffic safety messages. It will also be used for drug recognition experts at LAPD jails during peak enforcement hours and a three-dimensional scanner to be used to investigate DUID-related traffic crashes.

The grant was provided through the state of California’s Cannabis Tax Fund.

For information, visit lapdonline.org.