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 Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) has been awarded a $105,600.33 Formula Grant under the National Priority Safety Programs (CFDA 20.616) by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This federal grant will support occupant protection programs and other critical highway safety initiatives in Vermont, consistent with the state's approved Highway Safety Plan.

The funding will enable VTrans to implement evidence-based countermeasures and strategies to reduce motor vehicle crashes, injuries, and fatalities in Vermont. Planned projects include traffic records system improvements, impaired driving prevention, and public education campaigns focused on occupant protection, pedestrian and bicycle safety, and other national highway safety priorities. The grant has a performance period from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2027.

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.