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 Department of Motor Vehicles New York State, acting as the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee, has received a $153,415.76 federal Formula Grant award from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) under the National Priority Safety Programs (CFDA 20.616). This award, effective October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2027, will support the state's occupant protection programs and other critical highway safety initiatives.

Specifically, the grant funding will be used to implement evidence-based countermeasures, conduct public education campaigns, and support data program enhancements, law enforcement training, and other activities focused on reducing motor vehicle crashes, injuries, and fatalities in New York. The Governor's Traffic Safety Committee will leverage this award to coordinate statewide efforts with law enforcement, courts, first responders, and community organizations on issues like impaired driving, seat belt usage, distracted driving, and pedestrian/bicyclist safety. The Committee will also distribute sub-awards to local partners, academic institutions, and state agencies to support the comprehensive implementation of these highway safety initiatives across New York.

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.