Palm Desert wins $76,000 traffic-safety grant; winter enforcement mobilization begins Dec. 12

The City of Palm Desert will expand road-safety enforcement after receiving a $76,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, a city official announced at the Dec. 11 City Council meeting.

Lieutenant Forrest told council the grant supports enforcement and education programs aimed at reducing serious traffic injuries and fatalities; the award runs through September 2026. Starting Dec. 12 and continuing through New Year's Day the Riverside County Sheriff's Office will add officers for high-visibility patrols focused on suspected impairment and driving under the influence.

Officials said the mobilization is part of a national effort to reduce impaired driving during the holiday season. The city will also emphasize enforcement of the state's "move over" law and expand that requirement next year to include vehicles displaying amber lights — a change that will affect certain city staff and service vehicles.

Council members heard a short video and were urged to remind residents to avoid impaired driving this holiday season. The grant is intended to underwrite overtime and education activities and to support coordination with county law enforcement.

Next steps: enforcement mobilization begins Dec. 12; staff will coordinate deployment details with the Riverside County Sheriff's Office and communicate public‑safety messaging to the community.