TEWKSBURY — Chief Ryan Columbus reports that the Tewksbury Police Department has been awarded $39,447.73 in state grant funding to improve road safety. 

The Healey-Driscoll Administration awarded more than $12.4 million in funding through the Municipal Road Safety, State Agency Traffic Safety, and Underserved Communities Traffic Safety Grant Programs.

The Tewksbury Police Department received funding through the Municipal Road Grant Safety Program. The funding will allow departments to afford road safety initiatives such as traffic safety enforcement, bicyclist and pedestrian safety enforcement, non-enforcement activities such as training or community events, and the purchase of traffic safety equipment or other community safety items such as bike helmets.

The Department will use a portion of the funding to pay for 24 local teen drivers to attend a crash prevention class through the non-profit organization In Control Family Foundation.

The course, “Crash Prevention 101 – Introduction to Crash Prevention,” educates drivers about year-round road hazards through a combination of classroom lessons, group exercises and one-on-one driving instruction. 

Funding will also be used to purchase a new pole-mounted speed radar sign and a data tracking device. 

The Department will also use the funds to provide overtime payment throughout the year to staff six targeted campaigns on impaired operation, seat belt enforcement, distracted driving and speeding.

“The Department is incredibly fortunate to receive this funding that will reinforce road safety in our community and provide an opportunity for our young drivers to prepare themselves to drive on their own,” said Chief Columbus.