Section 405(e) distracted driving laws grant (23 C.F.R. § 1300.24; 23 U.S.C. § 405(e)) ― grant to support certain costs of state distracted driving programs consistent with 23 C.F.R. §…

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration awarded the Arkansas State Police $371,207.90 on October 1, 2025, under the Section 405(e) Distracted Driving Laws Grant, a formula grant program authorized under 23 U.S.C. § 405(e) and codified at 23 C.F.R. § 1300.24.

The grant funds state distracted driving programs designed to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities resulting from motor vehicle crashes. Arkansas State Police, as the state highway safety office, uses the funding to support countermeasure strategies and projects identified in the state's approved triennial highway safety plan and annual grant application. Eligibility for Section 405(e) funding requires that the state enact and enforce a law prohibiting texting while driving or prohibiting youth cell phone use while driving.

The award covers the period October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2029, with place of performance at Little Rock, Arkansas. Federal reimbursement occurs on claims submitted in vouchers covering costs incurred. Arkansas State Police is required to retain project records for three years following submission of a final expenditure report, including all contract documents, financial records, and supporting documentation pending resolution of any audit findings.

Section 405(e) distracted driving laws grant (23 C.F.R. § 1300.24; 23 U.S.C. § 405(e)) ― grant to support certain costs of state distracted driving programs consistent with 23 C.F.R. § 1300.24(f). 405(e) funding is available to qualifying states that enact and enforce a law that prohibits texting while driving or prohibits youth cell phone use while driving. 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.