State and Community Highway Safety

The State and Community Highway Safety funding program is administered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) at the Federal level and by the State Highway Safety Offices (SHSO) at the State level. The formula grant funding fa

Section 402 funds are authorized by Congress and are available to the 50 States, Puerto Rico, the U. S. Territories and the Bureau of Indian Affairs acting on behalf of the Federally recognized tribes. 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, 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.

States, federally recognized Indian tribes, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Marianas, and the Virgin Islands.

Political subdivisions, through the State Highway Safety Agencies.

Formula grant funds may be used for behavioral traffic safety problems identified by the State to improve highway safety for travelers utilizing public roadways. The law provides that at least 40 percent of these Federal funds apportioned to a State for any fiscal year will be expended by the political subdivisions of such State.

Formula grant funds may be used for behavioral traffic safety problems identified by the State to improve highway safety for travelers utilizing public roadways. The law provides that at least 40 percent of these Federal funds apportioned to a State for any fiscal year will be expended by the political subdivisions of such State.

Federal share is reimbursed on claims submitted in vouchers covering costs incurred. All participants have converted to the Electronic Transfer of funds method. Funds placed under obligation are available until expended.

NHTSA Regional Administrators review each State's Performance Plan, Triennial Highway Safety Plan, and Annual Grant Application. This program is exempt from the standard application forms required by the Government-wide Common Grant Rule for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. Assistance from NHTSA and FHWA is continuously available to participants in this program.

The Federal/State relationship for the highway safety grant program is a partnership. Each State is given flexibility in the administration of its own highway safety program. Federal funds are obligated in support of a highway safety program based on problems identified by the State. States have latitude in determining projects upon which they spend their Federal monies.

Formula grant awards for the State and Community Highway Safety Programs are determined by statutory formulas. Eligibility and compliance determinations are made by NHTSA Regional Administrators.

NHTSA is provided up to 60 days to review and approve Triennial Highway Safety Plans and Annual Grant Applications.

Each year, States submit Annual Grant Applications as part of continuing formula grant program.

Appeals of decisions by NHTSA Regional Administrators are forwarded to the NHTSA Associate Administrator for Regional Operations and Program Delivery. The decision of the NHTSA Associate Administrator shall be final and shall be transmitted in writing to the Governor's Representative for Highway Safety through the Regional Administrator.