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 $123,131.44 to the Executive Office of the Government of the Virgin Islands, Office of Highway Engineering Division (doing business as the Virgin Islands Department of Public Works) on October 1, 2025, under the Section 405(b) Occupant Protection Grant program (CFDA 20.616, National Priority Safety Programs).

The award funds state occupant protection programs consistent with 23 CFR 1300.21(f), supporting countermeasure strategies designed to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities resulting from motor vehicle crashes. The recipient qualifies under statutory requirements for a high or low seat belt use category and has submitted an approved triennial highway safety plan detailing problem identification, public participation and engagement, performance measures, and countermeasure strategies, along with an approved annual grant application detailing planned projects.

Performance occurs in Christiansted, St. Croix, USVI, with a period of performance from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2029. Funding is apportioned to the recipient using the statutory apportionment formula and reimbursed on claims submitted in vouchers covering incurred costs. The recipient must retain project records for three years following submission of a final expenditure report, including all project contract documents, financial records, and supporting documents pending resolution of any audit findings.

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.