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 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded a $160,335.72 Formula Grant under the National Priority Safety Programs (CFDA 20.616) to the Puerto Rico Traffic Safety Commission's division Administracion De Compensaciones POR Accidentes De Automoviles, operating under the name "CST." The grant funds will support the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico's occupant protection programs to reduce motor vehicle crashes, injuries, and fatalities. Key activities include implementing evidence-based countermeasures, conducting public education campaigns, improving traffic data systems, and enforcing laws related to seat belt usage, distracted driving, and impaired driving. Administracion De Compensaciones POR Accidentes De Automoviles, a U.S. state government transit authority, will deliver these highway safety initiatives as a sub-awardee under the Puerto Rico Traffic Safety Commission. The grant period runs from October 2023 through September 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.