Federal Grant Award Summary

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded $1,840,689 to the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Department of Grants on October 1, 2025, under the Minimum Penalties for Repeat Offenders for Driving While Intoxicated program (CFDA 20.608). This formula grant, with a completion date of September 30, 2029, supports alcohol and drug-impaired driving countermeasures specifically designed to reduce repeat intoxicated driving offenses. The award is contingent upon Louisiana's enactment and enforcement of repeat intoxicated driver laws establishing minimum specified penalties for second and subsequent convictions of driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence, as required under Section 164 of the Transportation Code (23 U.S.C. § 164).

Under this grant, the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission serves as the prime grantee coordinating behavioral highway safety initiatives and sub-awarding portions of federal funding to local agencies, law enforcement entities, and nonprofits throughout the state. Permissible uses of Section 164 transfer funds include alcohol and drug-impaired driving countermeasures consistent with NHTSA's Section 402 formula grant program or eligible hazard elimination activities under the Federal Highway Administration's Highway Safety Improvement Program. Typical countermeasures supported through this program include law enforcement overtime, sobriety checkpoints, media campaigns, DWI court programs, and targeted initiatives addressing repeat offenders. The Commission must maintain project records for three years following submission of final expenditure reports.