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 Office of Highway Safety in New Hampshire has received a $150,000 Formula Grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) under the State and Community Highway Safety (CFDA 20.600) program. This award, with a period of performance from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2027, will support the state's occupant protection programs consistent with federal regulations. The grant funding enables the Office of Highway Safety to deliver data-driven traffic safety initiatives aimed at reducing crashes, injuries, and fatalities in New Hampshire. Key services include enforcement patrols, DUI checkpoints, safety advertising campaigns, child passenger safety programs, training for law enforcement, and upgrades to state traffic data systems. The Office partners with various state agencies and organizations, such as the Department of Safety, Department of Justice, and municipal police departments, to implement these evidenced-based countermeasures targeting priorities like occupant protection, impaired driving, and non-motorized safety.

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.