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 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration awarded the North Carolina Department of Transportation Division of Aviation $1,253,016.01 on October 1, 2025, under the Section 405(B) Occupant Protection Grant program (CFDA 20.616, National Priority Safety Programs).

The award funds occupant protection programs consistent with 23 C.F.R. 1300.21(f), supporting countermeasure strategies to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities from motor vehicle crashes. Eligible states must meet statutory requirements for either high or low seat belt use categories; funding is apportioned using a statutory formula and requires an approved Triennial Highway Safety Plan detailing problem identification, public participation, performance measures, and countermeasure strategies, along with an approved Annual Grant Application identifying specific projects.

The period of performance runs through September 30, 2029, with place of performance in Raleigh, North Carolina. The grant is a formula award, and the federal share is reimbursed on claims submitted in vouchers. All participants have converted to the Electronic Transfer of Funds method.

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.