National Priority Safety Programs

 

The formula grant program is designed to encourage States to address national highway safety priorities fareas identified by Congress which includes Occupant Protection, State Traffic Safety Information System Improvements, Impaired Driving Countermeasures, Distracted Driving, Motorcyclist Safety, Nonmotorized Safety, Preventing Roadside Deaths, and Driver and Officer Safety Education, as well as the Section 1906 grantRacial Profiling Data Collection.

General information about this opportunity
Last Known Status
Active
Program Number
20.616
Federal Agency/Office
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Department of Transportation
Type(s) of Assistance Offered
A - Formula Grants
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2016 2016 States are spending their grant funds in accordance with the regulations published in the Federal Register January 23, 2013 as an Interim Final Rule. 2016 States are spending their grant funds in accordance with the regulations published in the Federal Register January 23, 2013 as an Interim Final Rule.
Fiscal Year 2017 States used these funds in accordance with the established requirements. Enforcement of State's seat belt and child restraint laws, impaired driving laws, motorcycle awareness and training, training in pedestrian and bicycle safety, enforcement of distracted driving laws and improving State data systems to core highway safety databases, which include crash, citation and adjudication, driver, EMS or injury surveillance system, roadway and vehicle databases.
Fiscal Year 2019 States used these funds for programs to increase seat belt and child restraint use, motorcyclist rider training, training for law enforcement on their State's pedestrian and bicyclist riding laws, enforcement of their State's alcohol and drug impaired driving laws, improving data systems in order to obtain more accurate and timely data, enforcing their State's distracted driving laws and participation in the Click It or Ticket national seat belt enforcement mobilization, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over national alcohol impaired driving crackdown, Child Passenger Safety Week, Distracted Driving Awareness Week and educational programs for stakeholders and their communities on a variety of traffic safety subjects.
Fiscal Year 2020 States utilized the National Priority Safety Program funds for increased seat belt and child passenger safety enforcement and education, and conducted programs such as checkpoints and saturation patrols to remove impaired drivers from the roadways. Funds were used to improve States data systems, education and enforcement of distracted driving laws, training regarding State's pedestrian and bicycle safety laws, and mobilizations such as Click It or Ticket, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, Child Passenger Safety Week and Distracted Driving Awareness Week.
Fiscal Year 2021 Kentucky, Virginia, and North Carolina participated in a Local Heroes program in Region 3. Local Heroes is a community-centered, multi-media initiative featuring law enforcement officers from State, local and county agencies. The goal of the program is to show the motoring public that officers care about their community and would rather write a ticket than make a death notification. The program compliments the national Click It or Ticket seat belt awareness and enforcement campaign.
Fiscal Year 2023 States participated in Click it or Ticket high visibility enforcement campaign, and Child Passenger Safety Week and Seat Check Saturday with press events and seat checks both in person and virtually in light of the COVID-19 health emergency. States also provided funds for programs to combat distracted driving and reduce the incidence of impaired driving crashes. Distracted driving presentations and outreach to students and parents/guardians with a video showing the dangers of distracted driving, impaired driving or failure to buckle up, followed by an opportunity to see what can happen in a crash caused by driving distracted. Holiday Safety public service announcements were developed to be used during the Thanksgiving holidays through New Year's. In addition, back to school drive safety spots were developed for a media buy. TIPS training for underage alcohol compliance checks at establishments that sell alcohol. Provide funds for motorcycle rider training courses.
Authorization
Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (P.L. 112-141), Title I- Motor Vehicle and Highway Safety Improvement Act of 2012, Section 31105, Public Law 112-141
Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST) Act, Part 23 CFR Part 1300, Public Law 114-94
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, enacted as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Section 24105, Public Law 117-58
Who is eligible to apply/benefit from this assistance?
Applicant Eligibility
With the exception of the Motorcyclist Safety Program, the 50 States, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. territories (American Samoa, Guam, Northern Marianas, and Virgin Islands) are eligible for funding. Under the Motorcyclist Safety Program, the 50 States, District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico are eligible for grant awards.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Funding is provided to State Highway Safety agencies.
Credentials/Documentation
A State submits certification and application materials that meet eligibility requirements. After being informed by NHTSA that it is eligible for a grant, the State submits to the agency a plan that describes the programs the State will implement using the funds.
What is the process for applying and being award this assistance?
Pre-Application Procedure
Preapplication coordination is required. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. NHTSA Regional Administrators review each State's Performance Plan, Triennial Highway Safety Plan, and Annual Grant Application. States submit applications for National Priority Safety Programs with their annual grant applications, which are due August 1 each year.
Application Procedure
2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. State Highway Safety Offices submit their triennial Highway Safety Plan covering State and Community highway safety activities to their respective NHTSA regional offices by July 1 every three years. Annual Grant Applications are submitted to the respective NHTSA regional offices by August 1 of each year.
Award Procedure
Applications are reviewed by subject matter experts to determine if the State meets the specified eligibility requirements. After being informed that the State has been approved for grant award, the State submits to the agency a plan that describes the programs the State will implement using the funds. NHTSA notifies the Governor in a letter that the State has met the requirements for a Section 405 grant award. Federal share is reimbursed on claims submitted in vouchers covering costs incurred. All participants have converted to the Electronic Transfer of Funds method.
Deadlines
National Priority Safety Grant Program applications are due August 1 annually as part of the Annual Grant Application.
Approval/Disapproval Decision Time
From 30 to 60 days. NHTSA is provided up to 60 days to review and approve Triennial Highway Safety Plans and Annual Grant Applications.
Appeals
Not applicable.
Renewals
Applications are due annually August 1 as part of the Annual Grant Applications as specified in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
How are proposals selected?
Criteria outlined in statute and regulation and vary for each program. 405(b) Occupant Protection: meet requirements for a high or low seat belt use categories. 405(c) State Traffic Safety Information System Improvements: have traffic records coordinating committee; designated TRCC coordinator; an approved State traffic records strategic plan; and demonstrate quantitative measurable progress to program attribute of accuracy, completeness, timeliness, uniformity, accessibility or integration. 405(d) Impaired Driving Countermeasures: meet requirements for low-range state, mid-range state, or high-range state; State can also receive funding for adoption and enforcement a mandatory alcohol-ignition interlock laws; and 24/7 sobriety programs. 405(e) Distracted Driving Grant: enacts and enforces a law that prohibits texting while driving or prohibits youth cell phone use while driving. 405(f) Motorcyclist Safety: meet 2 of the following criteria; motorcycle rider training course, motorcyclist awareness program, reduction of fatalities and crashes involving motorcycles, impaired driving program, reduction of fatalities and accidents involving impaired motorcyclists, and fees collected from motorcyclists for motorcycle programs; and helmet use for riders under 18. 405(g) Nonmotorized Safety: if the State's annual combined nonmotorized road user fatalities exceed 15 percent of the State's total annual crash fatalities based on the most recent calendar year for which final FARS data are available, as determined by NHTSA. 405 (h) Preventing Roadside Deaths Grant: adopt and implement effective programs to prevent death and injury from crashes involving motor vehicles striking other vehicles and individuals stopped at the roadside. 405 (i) Driver and Officer Safety Education Grants: enact and enforce a law or adopt and implement programs that include certain information on law enforcement practices during traffic stops in driver education and training courses or peace officer training programs.
How may assistance be used?
Funding can be used to address national highway safety priority programs to reduce the number of highway deaths and injuries.
What are the requirements after being awarded this opportunity?
Reporting
Performance Reports: States are required to submit an annual report within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year. The annual report must include an assessment of the State’s progress in achieving performance targets identified in the triennial HSP and a description of the extent to which that progress is aligned with the State’s triennial HSP. The BIL also provided that the State must describe any plans to adjust the strategy for programming funds in order to achieve performance targets, if applicable. In addition, the report must include a description of projects and activities funded and implemented along with the amount of Federal funds obligated and expended, mobilization participation, enforcement activities, citation information, and paid and earned media information.
Auditing
Not applicable.
Records
Project sponsor shall retain records for 3 years following submission of a final expenditure report and other project deliverables, all project contract documents, financial records, and supporting documents pending resolution of audit findings.
Other Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory Formula: Title 23 Chapter 4 Part 405 Public Law 117-58

Matching is mandatory. 80%. For all program under Section 405, the Federal share of the costs of the activities funded using amounts from grants awarded under this subsection may not exceed 80 percent for each fiscal year for which a State receives a grant.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
The Federal share is reimbursed on claims submitted in vouchers covering costs incurred; all participants have converted to the electronic transfer of funds method of payment. Funds placed in obligation are available until expended. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: Lump.
Who do I contact about this opportunity?
Regional or Local Office
None/Not specified.
Headquarters Office
Barbara Sauers
1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E., NRO-010
Washington, DC 20590 US
Barbara.Sauers@dot.gov
Phone: (202) 366 0144
Fax: (202) 366 7394
Website Address
http://nhtsa.dot.gov
Financial Information
Account Identification
69-8020-0-7-401
Obligations
(Formula Grants) FY 22$333,980,497.00; FY 23 est $343,310,498.00; FY 24 est $367,500,000.00; FY 21$266,104,995.00; FY 20$266,064,548.00; FY 19$255,400,000.00; FY 18$277,324,992.00; FY 17$277,500,000.00; FY 16$270,230,987.00; - FY 2024 funding estimate is based on BIL authorized amounts. Estimated apportionments to States qualifying under the various Section 405 grant programs will not be known until after NHTSA reviews and approves the Annual Grant Applications.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
In FY 2023 total grant awards across the six Section 405 grant programs ranged from $123,785 to 29,696,596.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (P.L. 112-141), Title I- Motor Vehicle and Highway Safety Improvement Act of 2012,, Section 31105; to be codified in 23 USC, chapter 4, section 405. The Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act (23 U.S.C., Section 405); Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Public Law 117-58, Section 24105.
Examples of Funded Projects
Fiscal Year 2016 47 States, DC and 2 Territories were awarded Occupant Protection grants; 50 States, DC, PR and 4 territories received Data grants; 50 States, DC and PR received Impaired Driving grants; 5 States were awarded Ignition Interlock grants; 1 State qualified for a Distracted driving grant; 45 States and PR received Motorcyclist Safety grants; and no States qualified for a graduated Driver Licensing Law grant. 47 States, DC and 2 Territories were awarded Occupant Protection grants; 50 States, DC, PR and 4 territories received Data grants; 50 States, DC and PR received Impaired Driving grants; 5 States were awarded Ignition Interlock grants; 1 State qualified for a Distracted driving grant; 45 States and PR received Motorcyclist Safety grants; and no States qualified for a graduated Driver Licensing Law grant.
Fiscal Year 2017 Enforcement of State's seat belt and child restraint laws, impaired driving laws, motorcycle awareness and training, training in pedestrian and bicycle safety, enforcement of distracted driving laws and improving State data systems to core highway safety databases, which include crash, citation and adjudication, driver, EMS or injury surveillance system, roadway and vehicle databases.
Fiscal Year 2018 States used these funds for the specific priority areas (occupant protection, state traffic safety information systems, impaired driving, ignition interlock, 24-7 sobriety programs, motorcyclist safety, distracted driving, graduated driver licensing, non-motorized safety and racial profiling data collection.
Fiscal Year 2019 States used these funds for specific priority areas including occupant protection, state traffic safety information systems, impaired driving, ignition interlock, 24-7 sobriety programs, motorcyclist safety, distracted driving, graduated driver licensing, non-motorized (bicyclist and pedestrians) safety and racial profiling data collection. Funds could be utilized for training law enforcement on their state's pedestrian and bicyclist laws, conducting training for school children in pedestrian and bicyclist safety, enforcement of the state's distracted driving laws, participation in national mobilizations and crackdowns and training for motorcycle riders.
Fiscal Year 2020 During this Columbus Day holiday in 2019, Region 3 and its States rolled out the inaugural Operation Crash Reduction effort. The high-visibility enforcement campaign, October 11-14, successfully brought awareness to area residents and generated citations for seat belt and other traffic safety related violations. The campaign, which coincided with one of the busiest holiday weekends in the Region, was two-fold: to combine increased enforcement and a zero-tolerance policy on seat belt nonuse, and to provide effective communication to road users on the importance of buckling up. Four of the seven participating States showed significant decreases in fatalities during that time.
Fiscal Year 2023 States participated in Click it or Ticket high visibility enforcement campaign, and Child Passenger Safety Week and Seat Check Saturday with press events and seat checks both in person. States also provided funds for programs to combat distracted driving and reduce the incidence of impaired driving crashes. Distracted driving presentations and outreach to students and parents/guardians with a video showing the dangers of distracted driving, impaired driving or failure to buckle up, followed by an opportunity to see what can happen in a crash caused by driving distracted. Holiday Safety public service announcements were developed to be used during the Thanksgiving holidays through New Year's. In addition, back to school drive safety spots were developed for a media buy. TIPS training for underage alcohol compliance checks at establishments that sell alcohol. Provide funds for motorcycle rider training courses.

 



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