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 Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) was awarded a $957,895.20 Formula Grant on October 1, 2023 under the National Priority Safety Programs (CFDA 20.616) administered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This grant funding supports TxDOT's occupant protection programs consistent with 23 C.F.R. § 1300.21(f) and 23 U.S.C. § 405(b). The grant aims to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities resulting from motor vehicle incidents in Texas through evidence-based countermeasure strategies outlined in the state's approved triennial highway safety plan and annual grant application. Activities may include data program enhancements, law enforcement training, public education campaigns, and implementation of other proven occupant protection initiatives.

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.