National Priority Safety Programs

The formula grant program is designed to encourage States to address national highway safety priorities to improve traffic safety for travelers using public roadways for areas identified by Congress which includes -Occupant Protection, State Traffic

The formula grant program is designed to encourage States to address national highway safety priorities to improve traffic safety for travelers using public roadways for areas identified by Congress which includes -Occupant Protection, State Traffic Safety Information System Improvements, Impaired Driving Countermeasures, Distracted Driving, Motorcyclist Safety, Nonmotorized Safety, Preventing Roadside Deaths, and Driver and Officer Safety Education.

With the exception of the Motorcyclist Safety Program, the 50 States, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. territories (American Samoa, Guam, Northern Marianas, and Virgin Islands) are eligible for funding. Under the Motorcyclist Safety Program, the 50 States, District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico are eligible for grant awards.

Funding is provided to State Highway Safety agencies.

Funding can be used to address national highway safety priority programs to reduce the number of highway deaths and injuries.

The Federal share is reimbursed on claims submitted in vouchers covering costs incurred; all participants have converted to the electronic transfer of funds method of payment. Funds placed in obligation are available until expended.

NHTSA Regional Administrators review each State's Performance Plan, Triennial Highway Safety Plan, and Annual Grant Application. States submit applications for National Priority Safety Programs with their annual grant applications, which are due August 1 each year.

Criteria outlined in statute and regulation and vary for each program. 405(b) Occupant Protection: meet requirements for a high or low seat belt use categories. 405(c) State Traffic Safety Information System Improvements: have traffic records coordinating committee; designated TRCC coordinator; an approved State traffic records strategic plan; and demonstrate quantitative measurable progress to program attribute of accuracy, completeness, timeliness, uniformity, accessibility or integration. 405(d) Impaired Driving Countermeasures: meet requirements for low-range state, mid-range state, or high-range state; State can also receive funding for adoption and enforcement a mandatory alcohol-ignition interlock laws; and 24/7 sobriety programs. 405(e) Distracted Driving Grant: enacts and enforces a law that prohibits texting while driving or prohibits youth cell phone use while driving and/or test for distracted driving on the state's driver licensing exam. 405(f) Motorcyclist Safety: meet 2 of the following criteria; motorcycle rider training course, motorcyclist awareness program, reduction of fatalities and crashes involving motorcycles, impaired driving program, reduction of fatalities and accidents involving impaired motorcyclists, and fees collected from motorcyclists for motorcycle programs; and helmet use for riders under 18. 405(g) Nonmotorized Safety: if the State's annual combined nonmotorized road user fatalities exceed 15 percent of the State's total annual crash fatalities based on the most recent calendar year for which final FARS data are available, as determined by NHTSA. 405 (h) Preventing Roadside Deaths Grant: adopt and implement effective programs to prevent death and injury from crashes involving motor vehicles striking other vehicles and individuals stopped at the roadside. 405 (i) Driver and Officer Safety Education Grants: enact and enforce a law or adopt and implement programs that include certain information on law enforcement practices during traffic stops in driver education and training courses or peace officer training programs.

Applications are reviewed by subject matter experts to determine if the State meets the specified eligibility requirements. After being informed that the State has been approved for grant award, the State submits to the agency a plan that describes the programs the State will implement using the funds. NHTSA notifies the Governor in a letter that the State has met the requirements for a Section 405 grant award. Federal share is reimbursed on claims submitted in vouchers covering costs incurred. All participants have converted to the Electronic Transfer of Funds method.

National Priority Safety Grant Program applications are due August 1 annually as part of the Annual Grant Application.

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

Applications are due annually August 1 as part of the Annual Grant Applications as specified in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.