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 Minnesota Department of Public Safety (MN DPS) Fiscal and Administrative Services Division received a $1,125,053 formula grant award from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) under the National Priority Safety Programs (CFDA 20.616) to support the state's occupant protection programs. This grant, which runs from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2027, will enable MN DPS to implement evidence-based countermeasures and public education campaigns to help reduce motor vehicle crashes, injuries, and fatalities in Minnesota. The funds will be used to enhance the state's traffic safety information systems, provide law enforcement training, and deliver a range of occupant protection initiatives consistent with federal program requirements.

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.