Formula Grant 69A37526300001540DEA

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded $1,475,171 in Formula Grant funding to the State of Delaware Department of Safety & Homeland Security under the Alcohol Open Container Requirements program (CFDA 20.607) for the period October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2029. This award represents penalty transfer funds allocated to Delaware under Section 154 of 23 U.S.C. due to the state's failure to enact or enforce an open container law meeting federal requirements. Specifically, the law must prohibit the possession or consumption of open alcoholic beverages in vehicle passenger areas—including by drivers—on public highways or highway rights-of-way.

Delaware will utilize these funds to support alcohol and drug-impaired driving countermeasures, which may include law enforcement training, enforcement mobilizations, public education and awareness campaigns, and data system enhancements aimed at reducing motor vehicle crashes, fatalities, and injuries. The State of Delaware Department of Safety & Homeland Security, as the designated state administering agency for federal highway safety grant programs, will manage the grant and coordinate implementation of behavioral highway safety initiatives consistent with the state's approved Highway Safety Plan. Federal reimbursement will be processed through voucher claims submitted via electronic transfer, with recipients required to maintain records for three years following submission of final expenditure reports.