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 New Mexico Department of Transportation $253,652.18 on October 1, 2025, under the Section 405(e) Distracted Driving Laws Grant, a formula grant component of the National Priority Safety Programs (CFDA 20.616).

The funding supports New Mexico's state distracted driving program, which addresses motor vehicle crashes, injuries, and fatalities resulting from distracted driving. New Mexico qualifies for this funding by having enacted and enforced laws prohibiting texting while driving or youth cell phone use while driving. The award funds countermeasure strategies and projects detailed in the state's approved triennial highway safety plan and annual grant application, which identify problem areas, public participation and engagement activities, performance measures, and programming strategies designed to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities.

The period of performance extends from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2029. Work is performed in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The recipient, the New Mexico Department of Transportation's Transit and Rail Division, serves as the state highway safety office administering this federal funding. Federal reimbursement occurs through claims submitted in vouchers covering incurred costs; the state converted to Electronic Transfer of Funds for all transactions. The agency must retain project records for three years following submission of final expenditure reports and other deliverables, including project contracts, 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.