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 $548,624.47 Formula Grant under the State and Community Highway Safety program (CFDA 20.600) to the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Division of Aviation. This multi-year grant, with an award date of October 1, 2023 and an ultimate completion date of September 30, 2027, supports NCDOT's occupant protection initiatives aimed at increasing seat belt usage and reducing motor vehicle crashes, injuries, and fatalities in North Carolina. Funded activities include public engagement campaigns, enforcement mobilizations, performance measurement, traffic safety information system improvements, and implementation of evidence-based countermeasure strategies. The Division collaborates with NHTSA to address national highway safety priorities through approved triennial Highway Safety Plans.

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.