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 Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has been awarded a $227,122.75 Formula Grant under the National Priority Safety Programs (CFDA 20.616) by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The grant funding will support TxDOT's state occupant protection programs consistent with federal requirements, including initiatives to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities resulting from motor vehicle accidents. The grant award period is from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2027. Through this Formula Grant, TxDOT will implement evidence-based countermeasures, enhance data programs, provide law enforcement training, and conduct public education campaigns to improve occupant protection and traffic safety across Texas.

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.