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 Office of Highway Safety in New Hampshire $369,394.32 under the Section 405(b) Occupant Protection Grant program on October 1, 2025, to support state occupant protection initiatives designed to reduce motor vehicle crashes, injuries, and fatalities.

The grant funds eligible costs of New Hampshire's occupant protection program consistent with 23 CFR 1300.21(f). The Office of Highway Safety, New Hampshire's designated State Highway Safety Office, administers the award based on an approved triennial highway safety plan and annual grant application that identify problem areas, establish performance measures, and detail countermeasure strategies for programming. Qualifying states under the National Priority Safety Programs (CFDA 20.616) must meet statutory seat belt use category requirements to receive apportioned funding under the formula.

The grant runs through September 30, 2029, with performance conducted in Concord, New Hampshire. The Office of Highway Safety implements programs through partnerships with state agencies, local law enforcement, and community organizations, including sub-awards to entities such as the New Hampshire Department of Safety, the Department of Justice Office of the Attorney General, and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center for specialized initiatives including child passenger safety programming. Federal reimbursement occurs through voucher submission for costs incurred.

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.