News Details

Probation department to monitor high-risk DUI offenders

November 22, 2017

SOLANO COUNTY – The County of Solano has been awarded a $280,083 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to the Probation Department, ensuring that high-risk, felony, and repeat DUI offenders are complying with all court orders.  These offenders are over-represented in traffic crashes involving alcohol and other drugs, often with tragic results.

"I would like to thank the California Office of Traffic Safety once again for providing funding for two probation officers who will focus their efforts on supervising repeat DUI probationers," said Christopher Hansen, Solano County Chief Probation Officer.  “Solano County Probation works collaboratively with our law enforcement partners to minimize the risk these repeat violators present.  Intensive treatment coupled with strict monitoring and surveillance will be the aim of the assigned probation officers.”

The grant will allow Probation Department personnel to intensely monitor drivers on probation for felony DUI or multiple misdemeanor DUI convictions, including conducting unannounced home searches and random alcohol and drug testing, special monitoring to ensure compliance with court-ordered DUI education and treatment programs, and sending law enforcement personnel to the NHTSA Standardized Field Sobriety Testing certified training.

This grant puts special focus on high-risk repeat DUI offenders aimed at reducing the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol and other drug related collisions in the county.  In 2015, 17 were killed and 250 injured in such crashes in Solano County.

“Probation orders help ensure that these offenders are not a risk to themselves or others,” said OTS Director Rhonda Craft.  “By working on compliance, the Solano County Probation Department, with assistance from the Office of Traffic Safety, will be helping keep the streets across Solano County safe for all.”

While alcohol remains the worst offender for DUI crashes, Solano County Probation supports the new effort from OTS that aims to drive awareness that “DUI Doesn't Just Mean Booze.”  Prescription medications and marijuana can also be impairing by themselves, or in combination with alcohol, and can result in a DUI arrest.

Funding for this grant is from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.