The Tulare County Resource Management Agency (RMA) maintains approximately 3,000 miles of roadway, working year-round to keep drivers safe—whether it’s repairing potholes, maintaining road signs, or refreshing pavement striping. But roadway safety is a shared effort, and July brings extra focus to this mission.
This month, agencies across California are recognizing road safety awareness, including the California Highway Patrol’s Safe Driver Campaign and the third week of July’s Rural Road Safety Awareness Week (RRSAW). RRSAW is led by the National Center for Rural Road Safety and highlights the unique challenges of driving in rural communities. What began as a simple social media campaign has grown into a nationwide movement supported by webinars, human-interest stories, research, and customizable resources for local governments.
Locally, the CHP Visalia Area office is advancing road safety through a one-year regional traffic safety campaign in Tulare County with a focus on reducing crashes caused by impaired driving. The campaign was funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and kicked off on October 1, 2024, and is set to conclude on September 30, 2025.
“We are taking a proactive approach to keep our roadways safe,” said CHP Captain Scott Goddard, Commander of the Visalia Area office. “This campaign will use a combination of education and enforcement to help make Tulare County roadways a safer place to travel.”
This campaign includes public outreach, education, and the formation of a local task force—all reinforcing one critical message: "DUI doesn't mean just booze." Impairment can result from alcohol, cannabis, prescription drugs, illegal substances, and even some over-the-counter medications.
Drivers are encouraged to plan ahead—designate a sober driver or choose a safe alternative such as public transportation or a ride-hailing service. Everyone plays a role in keeping Tulare County roads safe.