Summary

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles received $8.5M in formula grant funding from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) under the State and Community Highway Safety program (CFDA 20.600), effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2029. This award supports the implementation of behavioral highway safety initiatives designed to reduce traffic crashes, injuries, and fatalities throughout Virginia. The grant funds highway safety programs developed under Virginia's approved Triennial Highway Safety Plan and Annual Grant Application, which identify traffic safety problems, establish performance measures, and specify countermeasure strategies for data-driven interventions.

The funded activities encompass occupant protection campaigns, impaired driving countermeasures, traffic records system improvements, nonmotorized safety initiatives, and motorcyclist safety programs. The Virginia DMV administers these grants through its Grants Management Division and partners with sub-awardees including the Virginia State Police for commercial vehicle safety planning and law enforcement training. The formula-based allocation methodology provides Virginia with flexibility in designing and implementing highway safety projects tailored to state-specific traffic safety challenges while maintaining compliance with federal program requirements and performance benchmarks.