State Traffic Safety Information System Improvement Grants

Encouraged States to adopt and implement effective programs to improve the timeliness, accuracy, completeness, uniformity, integration and accessibility of State data; to evaluate the effectiveness of efforts to make such improvements; to link these State data systems, including traffic records, with other data systems within the State; and to improve the compatibility of the State data systems with national data systems and data systems of other States to enhance the ability to observe and analyze national trends in crash occurrences, rates, outcomes, and circumstances.

To qualify for a first-year grant, a State demonstrated that it has an established multi-disciplinary highway safety data and traffic records coordinating committee; a developed multi-year safety data and traffic records strategic plan, approved by the coordinating committee and containing performance-based measures; certify that the State has adopted and is using the model data elements determined by the Secretary to be useful, or certify that grant funds will be used toward adopting and using the most elements practicable. To qualify for a subsequent-year grant, a State must certify that an assessment or audit of the State traffic records system has been conducted or updated within the preceding 5 years; certify that the coordinating committee continues to operate and supports the multi-year plan; specify how the grant funds and any other funds of the State will support the multi-year strategic plan; demonstrate measurable progress toward achieving the goals and objectives identified in the multi-year plan; and submit a report, showing measurable progress in the implementation of the multi-year plan. The 50 States, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and Indian tribes through the Bureau of Indian Affairs are eligible to apply for a grant.

State Highway Safety Agencies.

A State would submit information unique to each criterion for which it chooses to demonstrate compliance. After being informed by NHTSA that it is eligible for a grant, the state submits to the agency a plan that describes the programs the state will implement using these funds.

A State may use grant funds only to implement data improvement programs.

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 in obligation are available until expended.

States submit information reflecting its eligibility for the award based on criteria for which it is applying. NHTSA reviews the information to determine eligibility. If the State is deemed eligible to receive an award, the Regional office will notify it and will also receive official award letters from the NHTSA Administrator. Release of grant funds shall be subject to the availability of funds for that fiscal year. No new funds have been awarded.

To apply for a first fiscal year grant, a State must submit the certification required by Appendix 1, signed by the Governor's Representative for Safety, to the appropriate NHTSA Administrator no later than June 15 of the fiscal year. To apply for a successive fiscal year grant, a State must submit the certification required by Appendix 2, signed by the Governor's Representative for Highway Safety, to the appropriate NHTSA Administrator no later than June 15 of the fiscal year.

SAFETEA-LU provided that a State may qualify for a grant under the section 406 by demonstrating that it had an established Traffic Records Coordinating Committee (TRCC), a multi-year safety data and traffic records strategic plan approved by the TRCC, certify that the State has adopted and is using the Model Minimum Uniform Crash Criteria (MMUCC) or certify that it will use grant funds toward adopting and using the most elements practicable. To qualify in subsequent years, a State certified that an assessment or audit of the State traffic records system had been conducted in the past five years, certified that the TRCC continues to support and operate the multi-year plan and submit a report showing measurable progress in the implementation of the multi-year plan.

NHTSA reviewed each State's application for compliance with section 408 and notify qualifying States in writing of grant awards. SAFETEA-LU provides that the amount of each first fiscal year grant shall be the higher of $300,000 or an amount determined by multiplying the amount appropriated to carry out the section 408 Program for that fiscal year by the ratio that the funds appropriated to the State under Section 402 for FY 2003 bears to the funds apportioned to all eligible States under Section 402 for FY 2003. Each State that qualifies for a successive fiscal year shall be eligible to receive the higher of $500,000 or an amount determined by multiplying the amount appropriated to carry out the Section 408 Program for that fiscal year by the ratio that the funds apportioned to all eligible States under Section 402 for FY 2003.

States are eligible for this grant for up to four years.