Combined Attachment C.pdf

ATTACHMENT C

Table of Contents

Sections Page # Section 1 – Overall Program Performance

1.1 Executive Summary 1

1.2 Introduction 3

1.3 Core Outcome and Performance Report 5

1.4 AHSO Public Participation and Engagement 6

Section 2 – Program Area Project Results

2.1 Occupant Protection 9

2.2 Impaired Driving 13

2.3 Speed 19

2.4 Distracted Driving 21

2.5 Motorcycle Safety 24

2.6 Young Driver Safety 27

2.7 Pedestrian/Bicycle Safety 30

2.8 Traffic Records 32

2.9 Roadway Safety 36

2.10 Planning and Administration 38

Section 3 – Paid Media Report

3.1 Summary 39

3.2 Alcohol & Other Drug 40

3.3 Occupant Protection 60

3.4 Distracted Driving 71

3.5 Motorcycle Campaign 82

3.6 Speed Campaign 86

3.7 Pedestrian/Bicycle 91

Section 4 – Financial Reports

4.1 Federal Aid Contracts/Agreements 101

4.2 Fiscal Year 2025 Arkansas Approved Equipment 105

4.3 Chart of Highway Safety Plan Expenditures 106

Section 5 – Summary

5.1 Legislative Action 107

5.2 Noteworthy Accomplishments 109

5.3 Planned Activities Not Implemented 111

Section 6 – Reference Charts and Information

6.1 FY 25 STEP Agencies (Chart) 113

6.2 FY 25 Mini-STEP Agencies (Chart) 117

6.3 Mini-STEP Mobilization Summary 121

6.4 CIOT / DSOGP Report Data 122

6.5 Speeding Related Crashes by County 2020-2024 124

6.6 FY25 STEP and M-STEP Enforcement Citations & Warnings 125

6.7 2024 Motorcycle Registration Information & Crash Data 126

6.8 2024 Public Awareness Survey Conclusions 127

6.9 2025 VRU Feedback 128

6.10 AHSO STEP Grant Survey Feedback 135

6.11 AHSO Mini-STEP Grant Survey Feedback 143

6.12 AHSO General Grant Survey Feedback 151

Section 1.1 Executive Summary

Page 1 of 155 AR FY 25 Annual Report

Section 1 – Overall Program Performance

1.1 Executive Summary

Arkansas is proud to submit the 2025 Annual Evaluation Report for the Arkansas State Police Highway Safety Office (AHSO). This annual report summarizes the use of the Section 402 and 405 funds distributed to our state along with evidence as to the status of performance measures that were established within the Triennial 2024- 2026 Highway Safety Plan.

The AHSO is a Section within the Arkansas State Police which is a division of the Department of Public Safety and responsible for overseeing the highway safety funds awarded to Arkansas through the U.S. Department of Transportation Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) enacted as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act effective November 15, 2021. The AHSO works closely with partners at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Colonel Mike Hagar serves as the Governor’s Representative for Highway Safety and Bridget White serves as Administrator for the AHSO.

The Arkansas Highway Safety Office (AHSO) is continuously modifying and fine-tuning our 2024-2026 THSP with an emphasis on programs and strategies that better address our performance targets if it appears these targets are not on track to be met. During FY 2025, the AHSO managed approximately 154 sub-grants subgrant agreements and contracts including 19 General; 34 eCrash; 62 Mini-STEPs; 13 DWI; 44 STEP grants and 5 procurement contracts. These projects supported efforts in several areas targeting traffic safety efforts such as impaired driving, occupant protection, speed, traffic records, distracted driving, youth initiatives and public awareness.

As shown in the Performance Report Chart on page 5, it appears that some of the targets established in the FY 24-26 Triennial HSP are not on track to be met in FY25. It should be noted that this trend may not be an accurate reflection of programming efforts in 2025. The calculation of the 5-year averages included the uptick in fatalities attributed to the COVID pandemic for the years 2020-2022. The higher numbers for these years skew the average. As these years drop off the average should reflect a more realistic view of programming success.

Reduced enforcement levels due to a shortage of law enforcement (LE) officers in combination with an increase in the number of LE agencies that utilize eCrash also continue to be a factor. While eCrash has improved the overall accuracy of reporting, it also increases the numbers reported for each area in contrast to previous years.

Major attention was again devoted to finding ways to raise the safety belt use rate, reducing speeding and distracted driving. Selective Traffic Enforcement projects (STEP) included high visibility and sustained enforcement of occupant protection, impaired driving, speed limit, and distracted driving laws by Arkansas State Police and local law enforcement agencies in the state.

The focus on recruiting additional law enforcement agencies to participate in Mini-STEP grants has proven effective with increases in both Mini-STEP (62) and STEP (44) projects at 14.8% and 16.2% respectively from FY24. During FY25 one hundred and seven (107) agencies participated as STEP and mini-STEP projects.

These grants provided funding for agencies to conduct overtime enforcement during national and state mobilizations and continued to focus on occupant protection, speeding and impaired driving issues. Additional emphasis was also put on increasing participation and enforcement efforts for Distracted driving mobilizations.

The national mobilizations of “Click it or Ticket” (CIOT) and “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” (DSOGPO) also benefited from the participation of state and local agencies and targeted media campaigns. Targeted media included paid television, radio and billboard advertisements. (see chart page 60)

In 2025 the AHSO continued working toward statewide implementation of an electronic citation and crash system (eCite, eCrash). The eCite system facilitates faster, more accurate and more efficient issuance of citations to violators and captures citation data for timely reporting to various entities. The system allows submission of citations directly to the Administrative Office of the Courts for dissemination to various courts and to the Office

Section 1.1 Executive Summary

Page 2 of 155 AR FY 25 Annual Report of Driver Services. eCrash is a data collection and reporting tool to streamline and automate the capture and transmission of critical traffic safety related data. The eCrash program is an initiative by the Arkansas State Police (ASP) in collaboration with the University of Alabama to collect data from law enforcement at the scene of a motor vehicle crash and send that data electronically to the ASP that serves as the repository for crash data.

eCrash is partially funded through Section 405c. Features of eCrash include electronic forms, data validation, case management, document workflow, data transmission, peripheral compatibility, and eCrash Web. As of September 30, 2025, 309 local Arkansas law enforcement agencies including the Arkansas State Police, were submitting their data electronically through eCrash with 11 additional agencies in training. These agencies represented 88.2% of all AR agencies and approximately 99.53% of all crash submissions in the state of Arkansas for FY25. In FY24, the Arkansas Highway Safety Office (AHSO) applied for a State Electronic Data Collection (SEDC) Grant, which was awarded in FY25. The grant, totaling over $8 million, is being used to update Arkansas eCrash equipment and software, enhance reliability, improve crash report quality, and update eCrash to comply with MMUCC 6 standards. These improvements will boost the accuracy and processing speed of crash reports.

In FY25, the AHSO continued work with the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT), federal partners at the Federal Highway Administration as well as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to assure coordination between the State Strategic Highway Safety Plan and the AHSO Highway Safety Plan. During FY25 the AHSO also collaborated with ARDOT and the Northeast AR Regional Planning Commission-MPO on a second AHSO Arkansas Vulnerable Road User (VRU) Safety Summit in Northwest Arkansas. The summit attracted strong participation, with 170 registered attendees representing 50 cities, organizations, and companies across the region. Valuable feedback was obtained from the breakout discussions. (See VRU Feedback page 128).

During FY25, the AHSO continued efforts to update the current eGrant system and transition to the new IGX version. This upgrade aims to better facilitate the electronic submission of funding proposals and reports. The new system is projected to be fully operational and ready to accept FY27 grant applications by the end of March 2026.

Section 1.2 Introduction

Page 3 of 155 AR FY 25 Annual Report

1.2 Introduction

The Arkansas Highway Safety Office (AHSO) of the Arkansas State Police (ASP) administers State and Federal highway safety funds and oversees highway safety program efforts supported by these funds for the State of Arkansas.

The AHSO developed a Triennial Highway Safety Plan (HSP) for 2024-2026, which identified traffic-related safety problems in Arkansas and recommended programming determined to have the best potential to reduce traffic fatalities, injuries, and crashes. A Performance Plan was also put together describing the State’s problem identification process and outlining the State’s highway safety benchmarks and goals. The Triennial Highway Safety Plan (THSP) describes the strategies for meeting the goals outlined in the Performance Plan and how Arkansas plans to utilize its highway safety funds. The plan is adjusted each year to emphasize programs and strategies that better address the performance targets where it appears targets are not on track to be met.

During FY25 the HSO implemented projects and facilitated activities/programs, which contributed toward reaching the State’s goals. The achievement of these quantified goals is dependent not only on the work of the AHSO, but also on the collaborative and ongoing efforts of a multitude of governmental and private entities involved in improving highway safety. The AHSO’s collaboration with the SHSP Steering Committee, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, Arkansas Center for Health Information (ACHI) and others has been an integral part of this effort. This annual report describes the progress made in FY25 towards meeting the goals outlined in the Arkansas 2024-2026 Triennial Highway Safety Plan and summarizes the FY25 outcomes for each program area.

OVERALL HIGHWAY SAFETY PROGRAM

In Fiscal Year 2025 the Arkansas Highway Safety Office (AHSO), contracted with and awarded grant funds to various agencies to implement highway safety projects utilizing Federal-aid Sections:

402 State and Community Highway Safety 405 (b,c,d,e,f,g,h) National Priority Safety Program Grants

These projects focused on priority areas identified as most effective in reducing traffic fatalities, injuries, and crashes. Approximately $11.7 million in Federal-aid funds were expended to implement these projects. A list of Federal aid funded projects that were implemented is shown starting on page 101. Approximately $12.5 million in Federal-aid funds were expended for the entire program. A graph on page 106 illustrates the proportion of expenditures by Program Area. As shown on the graph, approximately 38 percent of the expenditures incurred were in the alcohol and occupant protection programs.

Overall Program Goals

As listed in the FY24-26 Performance Plan, the overall program goals for the Arkansas’ Highway Safety Program were as follows:

To implement projects and facilitate activities/programs which contribute toward the following:

Maintain fatalities/VMT at 1.592 (2024-2026) from 1.592 (2017-2022)

Hold total fatalities to 580.8 (2024-2026) from 580.8 2017-2022)

Reduce Serious traffic injuries by 3% to 2,479.3 (2024-2026) from 2,556.0 (2017-2022)

The AHSO is on track to meet or exceed 5 of the 12 goals established in the Arkansas 2024-2026 Triennial Highway Safety Plan (See Performance Report Chart page 5). In 2025 the AHSO worked to address all goals

Section 1.2 Introduction

Page 4 of 155 AR FY 25 Annual Report that were not met last year through the expansion of both the STEP and the mini-STEP programs. The vacancy of the LEL position over the past two years impeded the AHSO’s efforts to recruit, train and maintain consistent communication with the STEP and Mini-STEP agencies The addition of a new AHSO LEL in FY25 increased outreach to law enforcement agencies in critical areas of the state. This outreach, supplemented by site visits and virtual meetings to provide information and education for agencies and officers, has increased the number of law enforcement agencies participating in both the AHSO STEP and Mini-STEP projects. Enforcement effectiveness continues to improve as agencies increase their use of data dashboards created by ASP eCrash, ARDOT and ACHI which provides them with the ability to analyze crashes and coordinate enforcement efforts with other agencies.

During FY25 the AHSO worked with stakeholders to identify and implement new projects to address areas of Highway Safety where AR is not meeting established targets. Programming has been expanded or modified for some strategies, and new projects are being implemented based on current data and community/stakeholder input (See AHSO Public Participation and Engagement section on page 5). Several projects that were scheduled to be implemented in FY25 but delayed due to circumstances beyond our control are now on track to be implemented in FY26. These projects focus on Pedestrians & Bicyclists, Distracted Driving, and Occupant Protection -targeting schools, college campuses, businesses, churches and communities. Efforts to deter speeding and impaired driving were supplemented with increased enforcement and implementation of speed corridors. AHSO continued collaboration with ARDOT and Metro Plan to utilize the feedback from the FY25 VRU breakout discussions to implement statewide “Networking & Listening” sessions and officer training. In FY25 the Arkansas Highway Safety Office issued a total of 154 sub-grants to address Highway Safety issues in FY25.

A summary of each program area is provided on starting on page 9 of this report.

Section 1.3 Core Outcome and Performance Report

Page 5 of 155 AR FY 25 Annual Report

1.3 Core Outcome and Performance Report

Performance Measure:

Target Period

Target Years

Average Benchmark Value for 2022-23 listed in FY24 THSP

2022-23 Benchmark

Progress Results

On Track to Meet FY25 Benchmark

C-1) Total Traffic Fatalities 5 Years 2022-26 604

2023 FARS

616.5 No

C-2) Serious Injuries in Traffic Crashes

5 Years 2022-26 2779.0 2023 eCrash

2770.0 Yes

C-3) Fatalities/VMT 5 Years 2022-26 1.624

2023 FARS

1.592 Yes

C-4) Unrestrained Passenger Vehicle Occupant Fatalities, All Seated Positions

5 Years 2022-26 188.0

2023 FARS

174.0 Yes

C-5) Alcohol-Impaired Driving Fatalities

5 Years 2022-26 157.5

2023 FARS

153.5 Yes

C-6) Speed Related Fatalities 5 Years 2022-26 138.0

2023 FARS

130.0 Yes

C-7) Number of motorcyclist fatalities

5 Years 2022-26 78.5

2023 FARS

93.0 No

C-8) Number of unhelmeted motorcyclist fatalities

5 Years 2022-26 44.0

2023 FARS

56.5 No

C-9) Number of drivers age 20 or younger involved in fatal crashes

5 Years 2022-26 69.5

2023 FARS

76.0 No

C-10) Number of pedestrian fatalities (FARS)

5 Years 2022-26 68.0

2023 FARS

76.0 No

C-11) Number of bicyclists fatalities

5 Years 2022-26 5.5

2023 FARS

8.5 No

C-12) Number of Distracted Driving Fatalities

5 Years 2022-26 23.0

2023 FARS

23.5 No

C-13) Number of Roadside Fatalities

5 Years 2022-26 26.5

2023 FARS

No

B-1) Seat Belt Use Rate Annual 2022-26 79.2% NHTSA Certified

State Survey No

B-1) Seat Belt Rate - The 2021 survey showed belt use at 79.5%. Survey results from reselected sites in 2022 show belt use declined to 76.7%. The use rate increased to 79.7% in 2023 but dropped again in 2024 to 77.7%.

The use rate increased again in 2025 to 79.2%. AHSO has placed additional emphasis on increasing the use rate since the drop in 2021, but we have not been able to determine the issues related to the back-and-forth survey results - except for a drop in the number of SB citations issued. This will be a priority for our LEL. He will work with our projects to emphasize the importance of seat belt enforcement and determine the best approach to increase enforcement/education efforts in this area.

Section 1.4 AHSO Public Participation and Engagement

Page 6 of 155 AR FY 25 Annual Report

1.4 AHSO Public Participation and Engagement

Public Participation & Engagement (PP&E) - Influence on Programming

AHSO’s Public Participation and Engagement (PP&E) initiative brought community voices into the highway safety planning process providing colleges, K–12 schools, and community organizations opportunities to share concerns. Participants reported feeling disconnected from traditional safety efforts. Arkansas Center for Health Information’s (ACHI) Data Deep Dive reinforced these concerns, identifying disproportionately high pedestrian and bicycle fatalities among African American and Hispanic males in Central and Southeast Arkansas. Together, PP&E feedback and ACHI data revealed that traffic and pedestrian safety decisions could be improved by acquiring input from these communities.

Fair Share Forum – June 6, 2024

PP&E surveys led to the first Fair Share Forum, bringing together Arkansas colleges, universities, youth programs, and safety partners. Participants identified shared challenges, such as, unsafe crosswalks, poor lighting, speeding, impaired driving, limited infrastructure to protect pedestrians, and nighttime hazards near campuses. The forum revealed these issues were widespread and that many organizations were working in isolation. For many, it was their first opportunity to be heard, and the insights gained reshaped AHSO’s approach to future programming

As a result, community surveys are now incorporated into all major safety activities to continuously solicit local input and identify problem areas. Campus Leadership Councils, Safety Ambassador Programs, Safety Advocacy Boards, and Neighborhood Groups play active roles in the planning process by helping prioritize safety concerns, guide behavioral change strategies, and support the implementation of projects and community activities to address educational and environmental safety.

Motorcycle Safety Movement - March 18, 2025

The Fair Share Forum’s community-driven approach expanded beyond pedestrian and student safety, highlighting similar engagement gaps in motorcycle safety. This led to new partnerships with riders and dealerships and culminated in the statewide Motorcycle Safety Round Table in 2025, demonstrating the power of listening sessions to build trust and identify unmet needs.

New Partnership Round Table– May 2, 2025

Building on the forum’s success, AHSO launched the New Partnership Round Table, broadening participation to include engineers, law enforcement, public health, trauma prevention, youth organizations, mentors, and K– 12 representatives. Discussions emphasized tailored, campus-specific solutions; experiential learning tools like virtual reality; early safety education through K–12 and college connections; and environmental improvements such as lighting, signage, and safer walkways. The round table helped turn shared priorities into structured, fundable programs.

New FY26 Programs Submitted and Funded

As a direct result of both the motorcycle safety and new partnership roundtables, AHSO received a record number of new traffic-safety project proposals/applications, for FY26. Funded initiatives include campus pedestrian safety programs, safety ambassador models, virtual reality education, college K–12 collaborations, teen driving and distracted driving programs, youth leadership initiatives, and education and awareness projects focused on lighting, signage, and crosswalk safety directly informed by participant feedback.

Page 7 of 155 AR FY 25 Annual Report

Results

Institutions and communities are now collaborating to coordinate efforts instead of working independently.

Students and youth serve as safety leaders (Campus Leadership Councils, Safety Ambassadors). Campus Leadership Councils and Safety Ambassador Programs work directly with their local communities to guide behavioral change and infrastructure improvements. These programs use surveys and assessments to identify risks related to drug and alcohol impaired driving, unsafe walking behaviors, teen driving, motorcycle safety, speeding and seat belt use across all modes of transportation. The feedback collected is used to shape targeted safety strategies that address both education and environmental needs. To strengthen this work and close long-standing gaps in prevention and roadway safety, programs are aligned with key partners including ArDOT, AAA, the Arkansas Drug Director’s Office, and Partnership for Success Prevention Programs. These partnerships help ensure that each program is coordinated, data informed and supported by statewide resources while remaining responsive to the needs of local campuses and communities.

Community feedback has been converted into funded programs and statewide action.

The following is a list of new projects for FY26 driven by the AHSO’s 2025 PPE efforts:

1. UAPB Look for Lions Safe Across Program

A campus pedestrian and bicycle safety initiative that improves crosswalk visibility, lighting conditions, and walking routes around the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff while engaging students in safety campaigns, walk audits, and peer education to reduce unsafe driving behaviors near campus.

2. Arkansas Baptist College Brake for Buffalos Safe Across Program

A campus wide pedestrian safety campaign that addresses impaired driving, speeding corridors, and unsafe crossing locations around Arkansas Baptist College through awareness events, student led safety messaging, and environmental improvements.

3. U of A In Their Shoes Program

An immersive virtual reality education program that allows teens and young adults to experience real life consequences of distracted and impaired driving, strengthen decision making skills and increase awareness of risky behaviors.

4. U of A Co Safe Program

A collaborative college and K–12 safety program that pairs classroom education with engineering-based roadway assessments and environmental improvements to address pedestrian, bicycle, and teen driving safety around schools and campuses.

5. WCAA Teen Driving Program

Teen driver safety program that engages new drivers through hands on activities and interactive demonstrations to promote seat belt use, safe speeds, decrease distracted driving behaviors, and educate teens and families on Arkansas’ Graduated Driver Licensing law. The program delivers youth focused presentations, real world driving scenarios, and community-based outreach.

designed to build safe driving habits before and after licensure.

6. Building Bridges Mending Fences Teen Driving ROADeos

A teen driving and pedestrian safety program that provides real world skill building through driving simulations, controlled obstacle courses, and interactive learning stations. Teens and their families rotate through educational activities focused on distracted driving, safe speeds, impaired driving, seat belt use, pedestrian awareness, and the Arkansas Graduated Driver Licensing law.

ROADeos include partnerships with law enforcement, driving schools, and community organizations to reinforce safe decision making, increase confidence behind the wheel, and reduce risky behaviors among new and soon to be licensed drivers across Arkansas.

Page 8 of 155 AR FY 25 Annual Report

7. Big Brothers Big Sisters Teen Driving Program

The Teen driving safety initiative provides teens with access to professional driver education, hands on defensive driving training, pedestrian and bicyclist awareness, and responsible decision-making skills. The program also includes family engagement and community outreach to ensure parents and guardians are actively involved in supporting safe driving behaviors. Designed to address the high rate of teen traffic fatalities in Pulaski County and surrounding areas and expand access to quality driver education for youth who may not otherwise be able to afford it.

8. Teen Tours Society Teen and Distracted Driving Program

Education program delivering hands on activities and interactive demonstrations that promote seat belt use, reduce distracted driving, and provide clear education on Arkansas’ Graduated Driver Licensing law. The program uses engaging, youth friendly formats to reach teens in schools, community centers, and public events across Arkansas.

9. WCAAA Safety Ambassadors Program

A college level safety leadership program that trains student ambassadors to serve as peer educators and campus safety advocates. Ambassadors promote pedestrian safety, seat belt use, impaired driving prevention, motorcycle awareness, adhering to safe speeds and safe walking practices through campus outreach, surveys, safety assessments, and awareness campaigns. Students assist with identifying high risk areas around campus, support environmental walk audits, and help guide education and infrastructure improvements.

Section 2.1 Occupant Protection

Page 9 of 155 AR FY 25 Annual Report

Section 2 – Program Area Project Results

2.1 Occupant Protection

During FY25, a total of 106 agencies participated in CIOT with overtime enforcement including: 62 Mini-STEP, 44 STEP (43 local and 1 state). (See chart starting on page 113) The AHSO managed a total of approximately 62 Mini-STEPs and 44 STEP grants and continued to put an emphasis on expanding the number of STEP and Mini-STEP agencies and encouraging agencies to address enforcement at a higher level. Since most of Arkansas’ larger cities have existing STEP grants, emphasis was placed on rural areas with high crash numbers.

Smaller agencies unable to support a sustained STEP program were recruited to participate in the Mini-STEP program. Fifteen (15) new STEP or Mini STEP agencies were brought on board in FY25.

The Arkansas State Police (ASP) continued to provide additional coverage statewide with special emphasis on high-risk areas and coordination with local STEPs. High Visibility Enforcement efforts such as national mobilizations and Selective Traffic Enforcement Projects (STEP) in addition to education and public awareness were employed to change unsafe driving behaviors. Arkansas’s advertising agency of record secured paid media per NHTSA’s recommended timeline to promote the use of safety belts, the “Click It or Ticket” mobilization and the state’s two-week STEP effort (See Media Report starting on page 60).

The Click It or Ticket (CIOT) Campaign continues to play an important part in Arkansas’ efforts to increase the usage rate. The 2025 survey showed belt use at 79.2%, an increase from 77.7% in 2024. STEP and Mini-STEP projects are required to conduct pre and post seat belt use surveys around the CIOT mobilization. The tables on page 122 show pre and post use rates for sustained STEPs and Mini-STEPs that reported. In 2025 STEP increased 3.35% from pre-to-post surveys and Mini-STEP increased 4.43% from pre-to-post surveys. Citation and arrest data are shown for the CIOT and DSOGPO mobilizations (See chart page 122). FY25 showed an increase in enforcement hours from 34,029 in FY24 to 37,198 in FY25 but a decrease in the number of seat belt citations issued from 1,792 for FY24 to 1,734 for FY25.

Page 10 of 155 AR FY 25 Annual Report

Program Area Goals

B-1) Observed Seat Belt Use Goal Statement: Increase observed seat belt use for passenger vehicles, front seat outboard occupants to 85.0% percent by 5.9% from a current level of 79.1% by December 31,2026.

(C-4) Unrestrained Passenger Vehicle Occupant Fatalities Goal Statement: Maintain unrestrained passenger vehicle occupant fatalities, all seat positions at 191.0 from

184.6 (2022-2026) from a current safety level of 191.0 (2017 – 2021) by December 31, 2026.

Program Area Results An observational seat belt use survey was conducted in 2025 which included surveying 96 sites in 12 counties.

The 2025 seat belt survey showed a use rate of 79.2%.

Arkansas’ unrestrained passenger fatalities decreased from 188 2022 to 160 in 2023. The five-year rolling average (2019-2023) was 190.2.

Project Results (Observed Seat Belt Use)

Project: LOCAL SELECTIVE TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT PROJECTS (STEPS)

(Short-term, high visibility/ sustained seat belt enforcement-local) Project Agreement #: OP-2025-02-02-00 through OP-2025-02-02-48 Sub-recipient(s): Local Law Enforcement Agencies (See list of agencies on page 113.)

There were 44 local sustained STEPS in FY 2025. (List of agencies on page 113) These projects issued 2,719 seat belt citations and 4,401 seat belt warnings. This data does not include ASP data.

Project: STATEWIDE SELECTIVE TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT PROJECT Project Agreement #: OP-2025-03-03-01 Sub-recipient(s): Arkansas State Police (ASP) The ASP worked over 4,791 hours during the year on occupant protection enforcement. The total number of seat belt citations, seat belt warnings and child safety seat citations issued by the ASP in FY 2025 was 2,711, 1,860 and 263, respectively

Project: MINI-SELECTIVE TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT PROJECTS (M-STEP)

(Short-term, high visibility/ seat belt enforcement-local) Project Agreement #: OP-2025-04-04-00 through OP-2025-04-04-93 Sub-recipient(s): Local Law Enforcement Agencies (See list of agencies on page 117) There were 62 local Mini-STEP projects in FY25. Mini-STEP projects issued 1,436 Seat Belt citations and 1,492 Seat Belt warnings. (List of Agencies on page 121)

Project: STATEWIDE PUBLIC INFORMATION AND EDUCATION (PI&E)

Communication and Outreach supporting enforcement Community and Outreach for Child Restraint and Booster Seat Use Communication and Outreach creating a unique brand with cohesive messaging using Share the Road model language and social norming NHTSA’s method of enrollment and engagement supporting programs and enforcement mobilizations throughout the year.

Project Agreement #: OP 2025-05-05-02, M2HVE-2025-05-05-02, M2PE-2025-05-05-01 Sub-recipient(s): CJRW This task provided for statewide public information and education to promote occupant protection with a focus on national Click It or Ticket enforcement mobilizations surrounding the Memorial Day and Thanksgiving holidays targeting messages to young person’s aged 18 – 34. It also emphasized the child restraint law, Act 470

Page 11 of 155 AR FY 25 Annual Report of 2001 and Graduated Licensing laws. Components of the task included educational materials such as brochures, posters, and public service announcements (PSAs) in addition to paid radio, television, billboard, digital and social media advertising. (See Media Report page 60)

Project: TRAFFIC SAFETY NON-COMMERCIAL SUSTAINING ANNOUNCEMENT

EVALUATION PROGRAM

Project Agreement #: OP-2025-06-06-01 Sub-recipient(s): Arkansas Broadcasters Association The Arkansas Broadcasters Association continued to provide donated airtime for non-commercial sustaining announcements (NCSAs) related to occupant restraints. Donated airtime totaled an estimated $1,114,019. This represents a dollar return in donated airtime of over fourteen (14) times the contract amount of $75,000.

Project: STATEWIDE LAW ENFORCEMENT LIAISON (LEL)

(Short-term, high visibility/ sustained seat belt enforcement-local) (Communication and Outreach/Supporting Enforcement)

Project Agreement #: PT-2025-07-07-01 Sub-recipient(s): Arkansas Highway Safety Office During FY24, the Law Enforcement Liaison (LEL) position remained vacant due to the retirement of our LEL in 2022. The AHSO has now filled the full time LEL position with a start date of January 6, 2025. Through the remainder of FY25, the LEL has been active within the state, visiting 65 of 75 counties in Arkansas. These visits were attempts to speak with local law enforcement agencies (LEA) leaders. The LEL attempted 279 contacts, while meeting with 183 LEA leaders in the state. These meetings include both STEP and non-STEP agencies, meant to encourage LEA’s and their leaders to support enforcement of traffic safety laws, while recruiting agencies who are not currently involved with STEP. The LEL has also been active in helping construct the Arkansas Rural Traffic Safety (ARTS) program, as well as working to get Roadside Oral Fluid Testing introduced to the state.

Project: STATEWIDE CHILD PASSENGER PROTECTION EDUCATION PROJECT

(Community and Outreach for Child Restraint and Booster Seat Use) Project Agreement #: OP-2025-08-08-01, UNATTD-2025-08-08-01, M2CPS-2025-08-08-02, B2CPS-2025-08-08-01

Sub-recipient(s): University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences The Arkansas Children’s Hospital Department of Injury Prevention conducted a Child Passenger Safety Education project for childcare and healthcare professionals. This project conducted car safety seat checkups for the public, developed statewide partnerships, distributed educational literature and conducted a teleconference for physicians. The Arkansas Children’s Hospital Department of Injury Prevention conducted a Child Passenger Safety Education project for childcare and healthcare professionals. This project conducted car safety seat checkups for the public, developed statewide partnerships, distributed educational literature and conducted a teleconference for physicians. Twelve NHTSA Standardized CPS training courses were conducted with 160 new technicians receiving certification. This program maintained a recertification average of 46% throughout the project period; 96 childcare professionals were trained in 13 regional workshops. A total of 860 child safety seats were loaned through 38 satellite network sites and loaned an additional 552 child safety seats through fitting stations.

Page 12 of 155 AR FY 25 Annual Report

Project: ARKANSAS RURAL TRAFFIC SAFETY (ARTS) (OP) (HIGH FIVE) Project Agreement #: OP-2025-10-10-01 through OP-2025-10-10-05 Sub-recipient(s): N/A Not implemented in FY25 The Arkansas Rural Traffic Safety (ARTS) Project is a new initiative aimed at enhancing road safety in rural areas of Arkansas. Modeled after the successful "High Five Project," the ARTS Project seeks to address the high rates of fatal and severe injuries on rural roads by increasing seat belt use and promoting safe driving practices.

Project: TEEN DRIVER SAFETY PROJECT Project Agreement #: OP-2025-11-11-01, TSP-2025-02-02-01 Sub-recipient(s): Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH) Teen driver safety project to employ activities in low seat belt use counties to increase seat belt use and increase awareness of distracted driving issues. The Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH) Teen Driver Program conducted a project to implement “In One Instant” programming and to oversee activities for the “Save a Life Tour” program. Both programs address critical areas of traffic safety education for teens. The project was able to recruit 22 schools throughout the five public health regions educating 1,251 students and school officials. Reconnecting with State DMVs, the project was able to share educational materials with 134 teens and parents when testing for Learner’s Permit. Through the partnership with the “Save A Life Tour,” 14 schools participated in educational activities.

Project: STATE OBSERVATIONAL SURVEY Project Agreement #: OP-2025-12-12-01 Sub-recipient(s): University of Arkansas - Civil Engineering Department An observational seat belt use survey conducted in 2025 included 96 sites in 12 counties. The 2025 weighted seat belt survey showed a use rate 79.2%.

Project: OCCUPANT PROTECTION PROGRAM MANAGEMENT Project Agreement #: OP-2025-13-13-01, M7*OP-2025-13-13-03 Sub-recipient(s): Arkansas State Police-AHSO This task provided program management for projects within the Occupant Protection Program area. It provided for proper administration of projects through program planning, oversight/monitoring, evaluation, coordination, staff education and development including expenses for development and implementation of a state electronic grants management system (eGrants). The eGrants system was implemented in FY19 and is operated and maintained through AGATE Software, Inc. Several enhancements were added in FY25 and a transition to the IGX version is underway to facilitate better reporting and data collection. The IGX version of eGrants will be complete for the FY27 grant cycle.

Project: NEW GRANTS BASED ON COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT Project Agreement #: OP-2025-14-14-00 Sub-recipient(s): NA - Not implemented in FY25 Programming and Projects were developed as a direct result of community feedback and participation in the “AHSO Partnership Roundtables” that were held in 2025.

Section 2.2 Impaired Driving

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2.2 Impaired Driving

Program Area Goals C-5) Alcohol Impaired Driving Fatalities Goal Statement: Maintain alcohol-impaired driving fatalities at 152.6 (2022-2026) from a current level 152.6 (2017-2021) by December 31, 2026.

Program Area Results Arkansas alcohol related fatalities were 157 (25% of total fatalities) in 2023 compared to 150 (24% of total fatalities) in 2022 with the National average at 30%.

During FY25 the AHSO employed strong media campaigns in conjunction with sustained high visibility enforcement efforts involving law enforcement at all levels across the state along with a DWI Court initiative involving 13 District Courts.

In recent years arrests and convictions for DWI have trended downward. The AHSO continued to initiate additional strategies to counter this problem in 2025. Some of these strategies included:

Adding additional local agencies to enforcement efforts via mini-STEPs Increasing communication and training opportunities among DWI Courts and Judges Utilizing DWI Court Judges to increase awareness and educate other Judges Continued exploring options to hire a State Judicial Liaison Sustaining a Court Monitoring Program

In 2025 the AHSO along with the Impaired Driving Prevention Task Force (IDPTF) conducted a review of the impaired driving problem in the State to develop a plan of Action with strategies that can be measured collectively as a group and a plan for implementation developed. Several publications and reports were reviewed and Task Force staff provided updates on data sets of interest to members. Task Force staff participated in gathering extensive data to assist in passing legislation related to Arkansas’s Ignition Interlock Law and awarded six (6) Force Awards to individuals who made contributions to curb impaired driving within the state.

Local agencies that participated in DSGPO mobilizations worked a total of 14,705 hours, not including ASP.

National Winter DWI Mobilization - December 13, 2024 - January 1, 2025 State St. Patrick’s Day DWI Mobilization - March 14 – 17, 2025 Regional 420 Campaign April 18 – 20, 2025 State July 4th Holiday DWI Mobilization - July 2 - 6, 2025 National Labor Day DWI Mobilization - August 15 - September 1, 2025

Project Results (Impaired Driving)

Project: STATEWIDE JUDICIAL TRAINING Project Agreement #: AL-2025-01-01-01 Sub-recipient(s): Administrative Office of the Courts Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) provided a training seminar September 11-13, 2024, in Springdale, Arkansas for approximately 80 Arkansas district court judges. The course “Special Traffic Topics for Arkansas” was taught by faculty from among district judges, substance abuse professionals, law enforcement officers, toxicologists and a judge from another state. Funding reimbursed in-state and out-of-state travel, tuition, meals, and lodging

The annual trip to the American Bar Association Traffic Court Seminar was cancelled this year but is planned for next year.

Page 14 of 155 AR FY 25 Annual Report

Project: TRAFFIC SAFETY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT/PROSECUTOR TRAINING Project Agreement #: AL-2025-02-02-01 Sub-recipient(s): Criminal Justice Institute As a primary goal, the Criminal Justice Institute (CJI), of the University of Arkansas System provided basic standardized field sobriety test (SFST) and traffic occupant protection strategies (TOPS) training to law enforcement officers to enable them to perform driving while intoxicated (DWI) and seat belt enforcement in the field, improve oral and written testimony and increase enforcement of all impaired driving laws. 680 law enforcement officers completed the SFST/TOPS training in accordance with NHTSA’s curriculum. In addition, 439 officers received SFST refresher training. 17 officers completed SFST/TOPS Instructor Development. 299 officers completed ARIDE training. One DRE refresher training was completed with 16 officers being recertified.

8 officers completed DRE Instructor Development.

Project: TRAFFIC SAFETY NON-COMMERCIAL SUSTAINING ANNOUNCEMENT

EVALUATION PROGRAM Mass Media Campaigns Project Agreement #: AL-2025-03-03-01 Sub-recipient(s): Arkansas Broadcasters Association The Arkansas Broadcasters Association continued to provide donated airtime for non-commercial sustaining announcements (NCSAs) related to impaired driving and occupant restraints. Donated airtime totaled an estimated $1,114,019 for the Highway Safety Program. This represents a dollar return in donated airtime of over 14 times the contract amount of $75,000.

Project: STATEWIDE PUBLIC INFORMATION AND EDUCATION

Mass Media Campaigns Project Agreement #: AL-2025-05-05-02, B5PEM-2025-05-05-01 Sub-recipient(s): CJRW Statewide public information and education to promote awareness of the impacts of impaired driving and support national mobilizations such as “Drive Sober or Get pulled Over” (DSGPO) targeting messages to young persons aged 18 - 34 and motorcycle operators. Media includes television, radio, internet, and print

(See Media Report Section page 40)

Project: LOCAL SELECTIVE TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT PROJECT (STEP) Project Agreement #: AL-2025-06-06-00 through AL-2025-06-06-48 Sub-recipient(s): Law Enforcement Agencies (See list of agencies on page 113) 43 local Selective Traffic Enforcement Projects (STEPs), which emphasized sustained enforcement of DWI/DUI laws, were conducted utilizing Section 402 funds. These projects conducted sustained enforcement throughout the year and participated in three State and two national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” crackdowns. The projects had a goal of either maintaining or reducing the number of alcohol related fatalities. Primary objectives were to achieve one DWI/DUI arrest per eight to twelve hours of enforcement for municipal STEPs and one DWI/DUI arrest per twelve to sixteen hours for County STEPs.

In FY25, 43 local STEPs participated in DWI overtime enforcement. There were 480 DWI/DUI arrests by local STEPs.

Page 15 of 155 AR FY 25 Annual Report

Project Agreement #: AL-2025-07-07-01, M5HVE-2025-07-07-01 Sub-recipient(s): Arkansas State Police The Arkansas State Police (ASP) participated in the State and National “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaigns as well as providing sustained enforcement during FY25. The ASP worked over 1,875 hours on DWI/DUI enforcement that resulted in 172 arrests.

(Short-term, high visibility/ DWI/DUI enforcement-local) Project Agreement #: M5HVE-2025-08-08-00 through M5HVE-2025-08-08-99 Sub-recipient(s): Local Law Enforcement Agencies (See list of agencies on page 117.)

There were a total of 62 local Mini-STEPs registered with executed agreements in FY 25 Data for Mini-STEP enforcement efforts is shown on page 121 These Mini-STEPs made 86 DWI arrests during the National Winter DWI Mobilization, the State St. Patrick’s Day DWI Mobilization, Regional 420 Campaign, the State July 4th Holiday DWI Mobilization and the National Labor Day DWI Mobilization.

Project: BAC INTOXIMETER AND BLOOD TESTING TRAINING PROJECT Project Agreement #: B5BAC-2025-09-09-01 Sub-recipient(s): Arkansas Department of Health – Office of Alcohol Testing (OAT) Provided travel, meals, lodging and registration to send two (2) OAT representatives to the annual conference of the International Association for Chemical Testing (IACT) in Las Vegas, NV April 7-10, 2025.

Provided travel, meals, lodging and registration to send two (2) representatives to the annual conference of the Association of Ignition Interlock Program Administrators (AIIPA) in Salt Lake City, UT May 18-20, 2025.

Provided travel, meals, lodging and registration for six (6) representatives to the Intoximeters Users Group Meeting in Knoxville, TN September 8-11, 2025.

Provided funding for a one (1) year maintenance agreement for the Agilent 7890B Gas Chromatography system which is used to analyze legal samples for alcohol in DWI cases.

Provided travel, meals, lodging and registration for one (1) representative to attend the Intoximeters Maintenance class is St. Louis, MO February 16-19, 2025.

Provided for the purchase of 100 tanks for use in the Intoximeter EC/IR II to be used by law enforcement agencies in Arkansas.

Provided for a state AIIPA membership for OAT staff.

Provided travel for one (1) OAT staff member to perform on-site visits to 5 of the 10 manufacturers whose ignition interlock device is approved for use in Arkansas. View work on fixing the devices, the calibration and quality assurance program and discuss common issues with technicians.

Page 16 of 155 AR FY 25 Annual Report

Project: LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING ACADEMY BAT & SOBRIETY

CHECKPOINT MOBILE TRAINING

Project Agreement #: M5TR-2025-10-10-01 Sub-recipient(s): Black River Technical College The Mobile Breath Alcohol Testing (BAT) & Sobriety Checkpoint, Support and Training Program with the Black River Technical College, Law Enforcement Training Academy in Pocahontas, Arkansas offered law enforcement officers throughout the State of Arkansas a four (4) hour Arkansas Law Enforcement Standards and Training (ARLEST) certified Sobriety Checkpoint Technician Course. This course trains and certifies officers to participate in sobriety checkpoints and patrol saturations by focusing on professional, safe and Constitutional operation of a sobriety checkpoint or patrol saturation during the lecture portion, and the use of BAT Mobile equipment during the practical portion. During FY25, the BAT Program staff certified two hundred fifteen (215) law enforcement officers with this course. The BAT Program also offered the twenty-four (24) hour NHTSA certified DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST) Course, and the eight (8) hour DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Refresher Course to law enforcement officers throughout the state with 215 officers trained. The BAT Mobile was utilized in thirty-five (35) sobriety checkpoints and patrol saturations with various law enforcement agencies throughout Arkansas. The BAT Program staff spoke about impaired driving and demonstrated the capabilities of the BAT Mobile at eight (8) public school events and fifteen (15) public events in communities throughout the State of Arkansas.

Project: STATEWIDE LAW ENFORCEMENT LIAISONS (LEL) Project Agreement #: PT-2025-07-07-01 Sub-recipient(s): AHSO During FY24, the Law Enforcement Liaison (LEL) position remained vacant due to the retirement of the AHSO LEL in 2022. The AHSO filled the full time LEL position on January 6, 2025. Through the remainder of FY25, the LEL has been active within the state, visiting 65 of 75 counties in Arkansas. These visits were attempts to speak with local law enforcement agencies (LEA) leaders. The LEL attempted 279 contacts, while meeting with 183 LEA leaders in the state. These meetings included both STEP and non-STEP agencies, were meant to encourage LEA’s and their leaders to support enforcement of traffic safety laws, while recruiting agencies who are not currently involved with STEP. The LEL was also active in helping develop the Arkansas Rural Traffic Safety (ARTS) program, as well as working to get a Roadside Oral Fluid Testing program introduced to the state.

Project: COURT MONITORING PROGRAM Project Agreement #: B5CS-2025-12-12-01 Sub-recipient(s): Speak-Up About Drugs (SAD) The Court Monitoring program followed DWI/DUI cases through the court process to identify gaps in prosecutorial, judicial, and law enforcement training that contribute to declining enforcement numbers and loopholes in judicial implementation of Arkansas’s ignition interlock law. Speak Up About Drugs (SAD) conducted this project and provided support to the Arkansas Impaired Driving Task Force. The court monitoring project employed a full-time Court Monitor Leader and part-time Court Monitor who actively recruited, trained, equipped and managed 15 Intern/Volunteer Court Monitors. The project identified and initiated court monitoring in 33 Arkansas counties. Program forms, databases and online resources support project implementation. The Court Monitor Leaders and volunteers participated in state trainings to raise awareness and distribute awareness materials. In addition, the project supported State Police/Highway Safety Office mobilizations and press events as appropriate. The project also facilitated meetings of the Arkansas Impaired Driving Task Force and awarded six (6) Force Awards for outstanding contributions to highway safety.

Page 17 of 155 AR FY 25 Annual Report

Project: DWI COURTS Project Agreement #: B5CS-2025-13-13-00 through B5CS-2025-13-13-13 Sub-recipient(s): See below Arkansas has 13 formally trained DWI courts that are recognized by the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC). The implementation of these courts continues Arkansas’ effort towards establishing a statewide DWI Court System. The AHSO provided federal funds to pay for salaries, fringe benefits, in and out-of-state travel and training, maintenance and operations, printing and administration expenses for two of the three pilot DWI Courts: Independence County DWI Court and Garland County DWI Court. The Sherwood pilot DWI Court is self-sufficient and received funding for travel/training only. The HSO also provided funding for the continued training of Ten (10) DWI Courts: Benton Co., Clark Co., Craighead Co., Crawford Co., Faulkner Co., Pulaski Co., Sebastian Co., South Arkansas Co. and Van Buren Co., and Baxter Co.

Project: STATEWIDE IN CAR CAMERA AND VIDEO STORAGE SYSTEM Project Agreement #: AL-2025-14-14-01 Sub-recipient(s):…