Section 405(b) occupant protection grant (23 C.F.R. & 1300.21; 23 U.S.C. & 405(b)) - grant to support certain costs of state occupant protection programs consistent with 23 C.F.R. & 1300.21(f)

The Federal Formula Grant award of $141,604.77 from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) under the National Priority Safety Programs (CFDA 20.616) supports the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico's occupant protection programs. The grant, awarded on October 1, 2023, will fund the Puerto Rico Traffic Safety Commission's division, Administracion De Compensaciones POR Accidentes De Automoviles, to implement evidence-based initiatives to increase seat belt usage, deter drunk driving, and administer other alcohol-impaired driving countermeasures. This includes enforcement mobilizations, public education campaigns, and traffic data system improvements, all aligned with Puerto Rico's strategic highway safety plan. Administracion De Compensaciones POR Accidentes De Automoviles, a U.S. state government transit authority, will also partner with the Puerto Rico Commission of Volunteerism and Community Service to deliver these highway safety programs across the territory.

Section 405(b) funding is available to qualifying states that meet statutory requirements for a high or low seat belt use categories. These funds are apportioned using statutory apportionment formula. These funds are provided to the state and territorial highway safety offices based on an approved triennial highway safety plan that details problem identification, public participation and engagement, performance measures, countermeasure strategies for programming funds and an approved annual grant application that details planned projects using identified countermeasure strategies for programming funds to help reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities resulting from motor vehicle crashes.