CHAPTER 4—HIGHWAY SAFETY

        

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2021—Pub. L. 117–58, div. B, title IV, §24101(d)(2), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 785, which directed amendment of this analysis by striking out items 406 to 412 and adding new items 406 to 408, was executed by adding new items 406 to 408 and striking out items 409 "Discovery and admission as evidence of certain reports and surveys" and 412 "Agency accountability" to reflect the probable intent of Congress, as items 406 to 408, 410, and 411 had already been struck out by Pub. L. 112–141. See 2012 Amendment note below.

2015—Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title IV, §4004(b), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1501, substituted "High-visibility enforcement program" for "National Highway Safety Advisory Committee" in item 404.

2012—Pub. L. 112–141, div. C, title I, §§31105(b), 31109(b)–(f), July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 755–757, substituted "National priority safety programs" for "Occupant protection incentive grants" in item 405 and struck out items 406 "Safety belt performance grants", 407 "Innovative project grants", 408 "State traffic safety information system improvements", 410 "Alcohol-impaired driving countermeasures", and 411 "State highway safety data improvements".

2005—Pub. L. 109–59, title II, §§2005(b), 2006(b), 2008(b), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1527, 1529, 1535, substituted "Safety belt performance grants" for "School bus driver training" in item 406 and "State traffic safety information system improvements" for "Alcohol traffic safety programs" in item 408 and added item 412.

1998—Pub. L. 105–178, title II, §§2003(a)(2), 2005(b), June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 327, 334, substituted "Occupant protection incentive grants" for "Repealed" in item 405 and added item 411.

1991—Pub. L. 102–240, title I, §1035(b), title II, §2004(c), Dec. 18, 1991, 105 Stat. 1978, 2079, substituted "Discovery and admission" for "Admission" in item 409 and "Alcohol-impaired driving countermeasures" for "Drunk driving prevention programs" in item 410.

1988—Pub. L. 100–690, title IX, §9002(b), Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4525, added item 410.

1987—Pub. L. 100–17, title I, §132(b), Apr. 2, 1987, 101 Stat. 170, added item 409.

1982—Pub. L. 97–364, title I, §101(b), Oct. 25, 1982, 96 Stat. 1740, added item 408.

1978—Pub. L. 95–599, title II, §208(b), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2732, added item 407.

1976—Pub. L. 94–280, title I, §135(d), May 5, 1976, 90 Stat. 442, substituted item 405 "Repealed" for "Federal-aid safer roads demonstration program".

1975—Pub. L. 93–643, §126(b), Jan. 4, 1975, 88 Stat. 2291, added item 406.

1973—Pub. L. 93–87, title II, §230(b), Aug. 13, 1973, 87 Stat. 294, added item 405.

§401. Authority of the Secretary

The Secretary is authorized and directed to assist and cooperate with other Federal departments and agencies, State and local governments, private industry, and other interested parties, to increase highway safety. For the purposes of this chapter, the term "State" means any one of the fifty States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

(Added Pub. L. 89–564, title I, §101, Sept. 9, 1966, 80 Stat. 731; amended Pub. L. 93–87, title II, §218, Aug. 13, 1973, 87 Stat. 290; Pub. L. 98–363, §3(b), July 17, 1984, 98 Stat. 436; Pub. L. 100–17, title I, §133(b)(19), Apr. 2, 1987, 101 Stat. 172.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1987—Pub. L. 100–17 inserted reference in second sentence to Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

1984—Pub. L. 98–363 struck out ", except that all expenditures for carrying out this chapter in the Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa shall be paid out of money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated" after "and American Samoa".

1973—Pub. L. 93–87 inserted definition of "State" and provided that all expenditures for carrying out this chapter in the Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa shall be paid out of money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1984 Amendment

Pub. L. 98–363, §3(c), July 17, 1984, 98 Stat. 436, provided that: "The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) [amending this section and section 402 of this title] shall apply to fiscal years beginning after the date of enactment of this Act [July 17, 1984]."

Short Title of 1991 Amendment

Pub. L. 102–240, title II, §2001, Dec. 18, 1991, 105 Stat. 2070, provided that: "This part [part A (§§2001–2009) of title II of Pub. L. 102–240, amending sections 402, 403, and 410 of this title, enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 402, 403, and 410 of this title, and amending provisions set out below] may be cited as the 'Highway Safety Act of 1991'."

Short Title of 1988 Amendment

Pub. L. 100–690, title IX, §9001, Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4521, provided that: "This subtitle [subtitle A (§§9001 to 9005) of title IX of Pub. L. 100–690, enacting section 410 of this title and provisions set out as notes under sections 403 and 410 of this title] may be cited as the 'Drunk Driving Prevention Act of 1988'."

Short Title of 1987 Amendment

Pub. L. 100–17, title II, §201, Apr. 2, 1987, 101 Stat. 218, provided that: "This title [amending sections 402 and 408 of this title and section 2314 of former Title 49, Transportation, enacting provisions set out as notes under this section, section 402 of this title, and section 2204 of former Title 49, and amending provisions set out as a note under this section] be cited as the 'Highway Safety Act of 1987'."

Short Title of 1983 Amendment

Pub. L. 97–424, title II, §201, Jan. 6, 1983, 96 Stat. 2137, provided that: "This title [amending section 402 of this title and enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and sections 130, 154, and 408 of this title] may be cited as the 'Highway Safety Act of 1982'."

Short Title of 1978 Amendment

Pub. L. 95–599, title II, §201, Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2727, provided that: "This title [enacting section 407 of this title, amending sections 154 and 402 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and sections 130, 307, 402, and 403 of this title] may be cited as the 'Highway Safety Act of 1978'."

Short Title of 1976 Amendment

Pub. L. 94–280, title II, §201, May 5, 1976, 90 Stat. 451, provided that: "That title [amending sections 104, 151, 402, 404, and 406 of this title and provisions set out as a note under section 130 of this title and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 127 and 402 of this title] may be cited as the 'Highway Safety Act of 1976'."

Short Title of 1973 Amendment

Pub. L. 93–87, title II, §201, Aug. 13, 1973, 87 Stat. 282, provided that: "This title [enacting sections 151 to 153 and 405 of this title, amending this section and sections 104 and 402 to 404 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and sections 130, 144, 151, 217, and 403 of this title] may be cited as the 'Highway Safety Act of 1973'."

Short Title of 1970 Amendment

Pub. L. 91–605, title II, §201, Dec. 31, 1970, 84 Stat. 1739, provided that: "This title [enacting sections 144 and 322 of this title, amending provisions set out as notes under this section and section 402 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and section 402 of this title] may be cited as the 'Highway Safety Act of 1970'."

Short Title

Pub. L. 89–564, title II, §208, Sept. 9, 1966, 80 Stat. 737, provided that: "This Act [enacting this chapter, amending sections 105 and 307 of this title, repealing sections 135 and 313 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and sections 303, 307, 402, and 403 of this title] may be cited as the 'Highway Safety Act of 1966'."

Transportation Management Plans

Pub. L. 117–58, div. A, title I, §11303, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 530, provided that:

"(a) In General.—The Secretary [of Transportation] shall amend section 630.1010(c) of title 23, Code of Federal Regulations, to ensure that only a project described in that subsection with a lane closure for 3 or more consecutive days shall be considered to be a significant project for purposes of that section.

"(b) Non-Interstate Projects.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a State shall not be required to develop or implement a transportation management plan (as described in section 630.1012 of title 23, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations)) for a highway project not on the Interstate System if the project requires not more than 3 consecutive days of lane closures."

Highway Safety Grants Emergency Authority

Pub. L. 116–260, div. N, title IV, §442, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2069, provided that: "Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in fiscal year 2021, the Secretary of Transportation may exercise the authority provided by section 22005 of division B of the CARES Act (23 U.S.C. 401 note [set out below]; Public Law 116–136)."

Pub. L. 116–136, div. B, title XII, §22005, Mar. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 613, provided that:

"(a) In General.—The Secretary of Transportation (referred to in this section as the 'Secretary') may waive or postpone any requirement under section 402, 404, 405, or 412 of title 23, United States Code, section 4001 of the FAST Act (Public Law 114–94; 129 Stat. 1497) [23 U.S.C. 401 note, 402 note], or part 1300 of title 23, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations), if the Secretary determines that—

"(1) the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID–19) is having a substantial impact on—

"(A) the ability of States to implement or carry out any grant, campaign, or program under those provisions; or

"(B) the ability of the Secretary to carry out any responsibility of the Secretary with respect to a grant, campaign, or program under those provisions; or

"(2) the requirements of those provisions are having a substantial impact on the ability of States or the Secretary to address the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID–19).

"(b) Report.—The Secretary shall periodically submit to the relevant committees of Congress a report describing—

"(1) each determination made by the Secretary under subsection (a); and

"(2) each waiver or postponement of a requirement under that subsection.

"(c) Emergency Requirement.—The amount provided by this section is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 [2 U.S.C. 901(b)(2)(A)(i)]."

Wildlife Vehicle Collision Reduction Study

Pub. L. 109–59, title I, §1119(n), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1190, provided that:

"(1) In general.—The Secretary [of Transportation] shall conduct a study of methods to reduce collisions between motor vehicles and wildlife (in this subsection referred to as 'wildlife vehicle collisions').

"(2) Contents.—

"(A) Areas of study.—The study shall include an assessment of the causes and impacts of wildlife vehicle collisions and solutions and best practices for reducing such collisions.

"(B) Methods for conducting the study.—In carrying out the study, the Secretary shall—

"(i) conduct a thorough literature review; and

"(ii) survey current practices of the Department of Transportation.

"(3) Consultation.—In carrying out the study, the Secretary shall consult with appropriate experts in the field of wildlife vehicle collisions.

"(4) Report.—

"(A) In general.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act [Aug. 10, 2005], the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the results of the study.

"(B) Contents.—The report shall include a description of each of the following:

"(i) Causes of wildlife vehicle collisions.

"(ii) Impacts of wildlife vehicle collisions.

"(iii) Solutions to and prevention of wildlife vehicle collisions.

"(5) Manual.—

"(A) Development.—Based upon the results of the study, the Secretary shall develop a best practices manual to support State efforts to reduce wildlife vehicle collisions.

"(B) Availability.—The manual shall be made available to States not later than 1 year after the date of transmission of the report under paragraph (4).

"(C) Contents.—The manual shall include, at a minimum, the following:

"(i) A list of best practices addressing wildlife vehicle collisions.

"(ii) A list of information, technical, and funding resources for addressing wildlife vehicle collisions.

"(iii) Recommendations for addressing wildlife vehicle collisions.

"(iv) Guidance for developing a State action plan to address wildlife vehicle collisions.

"(6) Training.—Based upon the manual developed under paragraph (5), the Secretary shall develop a training course on addressing wildlife vehicle collisions for transportation professionals."

Worker Injury Prevention and Free Flow of Vehicular Traffic

Pub. L. 109–59, title I, §1402, Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1227, provided that: "Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act [Aug. 10, 2005], the Secretary [of Transportation] shall issue regulations to decrease the likelihood of worker injury and maintain the free flow of vehicular traffic by requiring workers whose duties place them on or in close proximity to a Federal-aid highway (as defined in section 101 of title 23, United States Code) to wear high visibility garments. The regulations may also require such other worker-safety measures for workers with those duties as the Secretary determines to be appropriate."

Roadway Safety Improvements for Older Drivers and Pedestrians

Pub. L. 109–59, title I, §1405, Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1230, provided that:

"(a) In General.—The Secretary [of Transportation] shall carry out a program to improve traffic signs and pavement markings in all States (as such term is defined in section 101 of title 23, United States Code) in a manner consistent with the recommendations included in the publication of the Federal Highway Administration entitled 'Guidelines and Recommendations to Accommodate Older Drivers and Pedestrians (FHWA–RD–01–103)' and dated October 2001.

"(b) Federal Share.—The Federal share of the cost of a project carried out under this section shall be determined in accordance with section 120 of title 23, United States Code.

"(c) Authorization of Appropriations.—There is authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section for each of fiscal years 2005 through 2009."

Work Zone and Guard Rail Safety Training

Pub. L. 109–59, title I, §1409(a)–(c), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1232, as amended by Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title I, §1417(a)(2), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1423, provided that:

"(a) In General.—The Secretary [of Transportation] shall establish and implement a work zone safety grant program under which the Secretary may make grants to nonprofit organizations and not-for-profit organizations to provide training to prevent or reduce highway work zone injuries and fatalities.

"(b) Eligible Activities.—Grants may be made under the program for the following purposes:

"(1) Training for construction craft workers on the prevention of injuries and fatalities in highway and road construction.

"(2) Development of guidelines for the prevention of highway work zone injuries and fatalities.

"(3) Training for State and local government transportation agencies and other groups implementing guidelines for the prevention of highway work zone injuries and fatalities.

"(4) Development, updating, and delivery of training courses on guard rail installation, maintenance, and inspection.

"(c) Funding.—

"(1) In general.—There is authorized to be appropriated from the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) to carry out this section $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2009.

"(2) Contract authority.—Funds authorized by this subsection shall be available for obligation in the same manner as if the funds were apportioned under chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code; except that such funds shall not be transferable."

Prohibition on Other Uses

Pub. L. 117–58, div. B, title IV, §24101(b), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 784, provided that: "Except as otherwise provided in chapter 4 of title 23, and chapter 303 of title 49, United States Code, the amounts made available under subsection (a) [of section 24101 of Pub. L. 117–58, 135 Stat. 784] or any other provision of law from the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) for a program under those chapters—

"(1) shall only be used to carry out that program; and

"(2) may not be used by a State or local government for construction purposes."

Similar provisions were contained in the following prior acts:

Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title IV, §4001(b), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1498.

Pub. L. 112–141, div. C, title I, §31101(b), July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 733.

Pub. L. 109–59, title II, §2001(b), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1520.

Use of Uniformed Police Officers on Federal-Aid Highway Construction Projects

Pub. L. 105–178, title I, §1213(c), June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 200, provided that the Secretary, in consultation with the States, State transportation departments, and law enforcement organizations, would conduct a study on the extent and effectiveness of use by States of uniformed police officers on Federal-aid highway construction projects, and would submit to Congress, not later than 2 years after June 9, 1998, a report on the results of the study, including any legislative and administrative recommendations.

Radio and Microwave Technology for Motor Vehicle Safety Warning System

Pub. L. 104–59, title III, §358(c), Nov. 28, 1995, 109 Stat. 625, provided that:

"(1) Study.—The Secretary, in consultation with the Federal Communications Commission and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, shall conduct a study to develop and evaluate radio and microwave technology for a motor vehicle safety warning system in furtherance of safety in all types of motor vehicles.

"(2) Equipment.—Equipment developed under the study shall be directed toward, but not limited to, advance warning to operators of all types of motor vehicles of—

"(A) temporary obstructions in a highway;

"(B) poor visibility and highway surface conditions caused by adverse weather; and

"(C) movement of emergency vehicles.

"(3) Safety applications.—In conducting the study, the Secretary shall determine whether the technology described in this subsection has other appropriate safety applications."

Work Zone Safety Program

Pub. L. 117–58, div. A, title I, §11302, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 530, provided that: "The Secretary [of Transportation] shall amend section 630.1008(e) of title 23, Code of Federal Regulations, to ensure that the work zone process review under that subsection is required not more frequently than once every 5 years."

Pub. L. 109–59, title I, §1410, Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1233, provided that:

"(a) Grants.—The Secretary [of Transportation] shall make grants for fiscal years 2006 through 2009 to a national nonprofit foundation for the operation of the National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse, authorized by section 358(b)(2) of Public Law 104–59 [set out below], created for the purpose of assembling and disseminating, by electronic and other means, information relating to improvement of roadway work zone safety.

"(b) Authorization of Appropriations.—There is authorized to be appropriated out of the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) to carry out this section $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2009.

"(c) Contract Authority.—Funds authorized by this subsection shall be available for obligation in the same manner as if the funds were apportioned under chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code, except the Federal share of the cost of activities carried out using such funds shall be 100 percent, and such funds shall remain available until expended and shall not be transferable."

Pub. L. 104–59, title III, §358(b), Nov. 28, 1995, 109 Stat. 625, provided that: "In carrying out the work zone safety program under section 1051 of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 [Pub. L. 102–240] (23 U.S.C. 401 note; 105 Stat. 2001), the Secretary shall utilize a variety of methods to increase safety at highway construction sites, including each of the following:

"(1) Conducting conferences to explore new techniques and stimulate dialogue for improving work zone safety.

"(2) Establishing a national clearinghouse to assemble and disseminate, by electronic and other means, information relating to the improvement of work zone safety.

"(3) Conducting a national promotional campaign in cooperation with the States to provide timely, site-specific information to motorists when construction workers are actually present.

"(4) Encouraging the use of enforceable speed limits in work zones.

"(5) Developing training programs for work site designers and construction workers to promote safe work zone practices.

"(6) Encouraging the use of unit price bid items in contracts for traffic control devices and implementation of traffic control plans."

Pub. L. 102–240, title I, §1051, Dec. 18, 1991, 105 Stat. 2001, provided that: "The Secretary shall develop and implement a work zone safety program which will improve work zone safety at highway construction sites by enhancing the quality and effectiveness of traffic control devices, safety appurtenances, traffic control plans, and bidding practices for traffic control devices and services."

Older Drivers and Other Special Driver Groups

Pub. L. 104–59, title III, §358(a), Nov. 28, 1995, 109 Stat. 625, provided that:

"(1) Study.—The Secretary shall conduct a study of technologies and practices to improve the driving performance of older drivers and other special driver groups.

"(2) Demonstration activities.—In conducting the study under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall undertake demonstration activities that incorporate and build upon gerontology research related to the study of the normal aging process. The Secretary shall initially implement such activities in those States that have the highest population of aging citizens for whom driving a motor vehicle is their primary mobility mode.

"(3) Cooperative agreement.—The Secretary shall conduct the study under paragraph (1) by entering into a cooperative agreement with an institution that has demonstrated competencies in gerontological research, population demographics, human factors related to transportation, and advanced technology applied to transportation."

Pub. L. 100–17, title II, §208, Apr. 2, 1987, 101 Stat. 222, as amended by Pub. L. 100–202, §101(l) [title III, §348(h)], Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1329–358, 1329-389, directed Secretary to enter into appropriate arrangements with National Academy of Sciences to conduct a comprehensive study and investigation of (1) problems which could inhibit the safety and mobility of older drivers using the Nation's roads, and (2) means of addressing these problems, to request the Academy to report to Secretary and Congress not later than 24 months after Apr. 2, 1987, on the results of such study and investigation, to furnish to the Academy any information which it deems necessary for conducting the investigation and study, and to develop, in conjunction with the study, a pilot program of highway safety improvements to enhance the safety and mobility of older drivers and, not later than 3 years after Apr. 2, 1987, to evaluate the pilot program and report to Congress on the effectiveness of the program in improving the safety and mobility of older drivers.

Annual Report by Secretary of Transportation on Highway Safety Performance of Each State

Pub. L. 97–424, title II, §207, Jan. 6, 1983, 96 Stat. 2139, provided that: "The Secretary of Transportation shall prepare, publish, and submit to Congress not later than December 31 of each calendar year beginning after December 31, 1982, a report on the highway safety performance of each State in the preceding calendar year. Such report shall provide data on highway fatalities and injuries and motor vehicle accidents involving fatalities and injuries and travel in urban areas of each State for each system of highways and in rural areas of such State for each system of highways. Such report shall be in such form and contain such other information on highway accidents as will permit an evaluation and comparison of highway safety performance of the States. For purposes of this section (1) the systems of highways in a State are the Federal-aid primary system, the Federal-aid secondary system, the Federal-aid urban system, and the Interstate System (as such terms are defined in section 101 of title 23, United States Code) and the other highways in such State which are not on the Federal-aid system, and (2) the terms 'State', 'rural areas', and 'urban area' have the meaning such terms have under section 101."

[For termination, effective May 15, 2000, of provisions relating to submittal of report to Congress in section 207 of Pub. L. 97–424, set out above, see section 3003 of Pub. L. 104–66, as amended, set out as a note under section 1113 of Title 31, Money and Finance, and page 136 of House Document No. 103–7.]

National Driver Registration

Pub. L. 97–364, title II, §§201–211, Oct. 25, 1982, 96 Stat. 1740–1748, as amended by Pub. L. 100–223, title III, §305, Dec. 30, 1987, 101 Stat. 1525; Pub. L. 100–342, §4(b), June 22, 1988, 102 Stat. 626; Pub. L. 101–380, title IV, §4105(a), Aug. 18, 1990, 104 Stat. 512; Pub. L. 102–240, title II, §2007, Dec. 18, 1991, 105 Stat. 2080, directed Secretary of Transportation to establish and maintain a National Driver Register to assist States in exchange of information on motor vehicle driving records of individuals and provided for reports by State officials, accessibility of Register information, a pilot test program, criminal penalties, an advisory committee, and a report to Congress by the Secretary, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 103–272, §7(b), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1379, and Pub. L. 103–429, §8(10), Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4390, and was restated in part in chapter 303 of Title 49, Transportation.

Pilot Projects for Highway Safety Education and Information

Pub. L. 95–599, title II, §209, Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2732, as amended by Pub. L. 97–424, title II, §206, Jan. 6, 1983, 96 Stat. 2139; Pub. L. 100–17, title II, §207, Apr. 2, 1987, 101 Stat. 221, provided that:

"(a) The Secretary of Transportation shall carry out six pilot projects designed, through the use of television and radio, to develop and evaluate techniques, methods, and practices to achieve maximum measurable effectiveness in reducing traffic accidents, injuries, and deaths.

"(b) Each pilot project authorized by this section shall be in operation not later than the one hundred and eightieth day after the date of the first appropriation of funds made under authority of this section, and shall be conducted for a one-year period. Not later than the ninetieth day after the end of each such one-year period, the Secretary of Transportation shall report to Congress the results of such project, including, but not limited to, an evaluation of the effectiveness of such project and a statistical analysis of the traffic accidents and fatalities within the project area during such one-year period.

"(c) There is authorized to be appropriated, out of the Highway Trust Fund, to carry out subsections (a) and (b) of this section, $6,000,000, to remain available until expended.

"(d) National Highway Safety Campaign.—Utilizing those techniques, methods, and practices determined most effective under subsection (b), the Secretary of Transportation shall conduct a national highway safety campaign utilizing the local and national television and radio to educate and inform the public of techniques, methods, and practices to reduce the number and severity of highway accidents. Not later than the 180th day after the date of submission of the first report to Congress required by subsection (b) of this section, the Secretary shall commence the conduct of such campaign.

"(e) Such campaign is authorized to be conducted in cooperation with interested government and nongovernment authorities, agencies, organizations, institutions, businesses, and individuals, and shall utilize to the extent possible nongovernmental professional organizations equipped and experienced to conduct such campaign.

"(f) The Secretary of Transportation shall engage such private firms or organizations as he determines necessary to conduct an on-going evaluation of the national campaign authorized by subsection (d) of this section to determine ways and means for encouraging the participation and cooperation of television and radio station licensees, for measuring audience reactions to on-going highway safety programming for evaluating the effectiveness of such programs in terms of the number of lives saved and the reduction in injuries, and for the purpose of developing new programs for the promotion of highway safety. Such evaluation shall include determinations of those programs designed to encourage the voluntary use of safety belts which are most effective and shall include recommendations for new methods and approaches which will result in greater voluntary utilization of safety belts by the public.

"(g) The Secretary of Transportation shall submit a report to the Congress on July 1 of each year in which the campaign is in progress on the results of such evaluation and on the steps being taken by the Secretary of Transportation to implement the recommendations of such evaluation.

"(h) For the purpose of carrying out subsections (d), (e), (f), and (g) of this section, there is authorized to be appropriated out of the Highway Trust Fund, $10,000,000, to remain available until expended. None of the amounts authorized by this subsection shall be available for obligation for any education or information program conducted in connection with the implementation of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 208 (49 C.F.R. 571.208).

"(i) All provisions of chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code, that are applicable to Federal-aid primary highway funds, other than provisions relating to the apportionment formula and provisions limiting the expenditure of such funds to the Federal-aid systems, shall apply to the funds authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section, except as determined by the Secretary to be inconsistent with this section and except that the funds authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section shall not be subject to any obligation limitation."

[For termination, effective May 15, 2000, of provisions of law requiring submittal to Congress of any annual, semiannual, or other regular periodic report listed in House Document No. 103–7 (in which a report required under section 209(g) of Pub. L. 95–599, set out above, is listed on page 139), see section 3003 of Pub. L. 104–66, as amended, set out as a note under section 1113 of Title 31, Money and Finance.]

Highway Safety Educational Programing and Study; Report to Congress; Series of Highway Safety Television Programs; Appropriations Authorizations

Pub. L. 93–87, title II, §211, Aug. 13, 1973, 87 Stat. 288, directed Secretary of Transportation, in cooperation with government and nongovernment authorities and individuals, to conduct a full and complete investigation and study of use of mass media for informing and educating the public of ways and means for reducing number and severity of highway accidents, to report to Congress his findings and recommendations by June 30, 1974, and to develop, in consultation with State and local highway safety officials, a series of highway safety television programs of varying lengths for use in accordance with provisions of the Communication Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 151 et seq.).

Highway Safety Citizen Participation Study

Pub. L. 93–87, title II, §212, Aug. 13, 1973, 87 Stat. 289, authorized the appropriation of $1,000,000 for a study by the Secretary of Transportation, with cooperation of State and local highway safety authorities, of ways and means of encouraging greater citizen participation in highway safety programs, the results of such study and recommendations to be reported to Congress by June 30, 1974.

National Center for Statistical Analysis of Highway Operations

Pub. L. 93–87, title II, §213, Aug. 13, 1973, 87 Stat. 289, authorized the appropriation of $5,000,000 to make a study of the feasibility of establishing a National Center for Statistical Analysis of Highway Operations designed to acquire, store and retrieve accident data, the results of such study and recommendations to be reported to Congress not later than Jan. 1, 1975.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Study

Pub. L. 93–87, title II, §214, Aug. 13, 1973, 87 Stat. 289, authorized the appropriation of $5,000,000 for a study of pedestrian and bicycle safety, including a review of local ordinances, the relationship between alcohol and pedestrian and bicycle safety, etc., the results of such study and recommendations to be reported to Congress not later than Jan. 31, 1975.

Highway Safety Needs Study

Pub. L. 93–87, title II, §225, Aug. 13, 1973, 87 Stat. 292, mandated a study by the Secretary of Transportation of highway safety needs of the States, including those of Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands and other territories, in order to evaluate continuing safety programs and furnish Congress with information necessary for authorization of appropriations for continuing safety programs, the results of such study, estimates and recommendations to be submitted to Congress not later than Jan. 10, 1976.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; Creation; Appointment of Administrator and Deputy Administrator; Duties; Retroactive Effect

Pub. L. 89–564, title II, §201, Sept. 9, 1966, 80 Stat. 735, as amended by Pub. L. 89–670, §8(h), Oct. 15, 1966, 80 Stat. 943; Pub. L. 90–83, §10(b), Sept. 11, 1967, 81 Stat. 224; Pub. L. 91–605, title II, §202(a), Dec. 31, 1970, 84 Stat. 1739, which provided for the creation of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the Department of Transportation, was repealed by Pub. L. 97–449, §7(b), Jan. 12, 1983, 96 Stat. 2444, and reenacted by section 1(b) of Pub. L. 97–449 as section 105 of Title 49, Transportation.

Acting Administrator of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Pub. L. 91–605, title II, §202(b), Dec. 31, 1970, 84 Stat. 1740, permitted President to authorize any person who immediately before Dec. 31, 1970, held the office of Director of the National Highway Safety Bureau, to act as Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration until the appointment of the first Administrator.

Annual Report to Congress on Administration of Highway Safety Act of 1966

Pub. L. 89–564, title II, §202, Sept. 9, 1966, 80 Stat. 736, as amended by Pub. L. 93–87, title II, §224, Aug. 13, 1973, 87 Stat. 292, provided that:

"(a) The Secretary shall prepare and submit to the President for transmittal to the Congress on July 1 of each year a comprehensive report on the administration of the Highway Safety Act of 1966 (including chapter 4 of title 23 of the United States Code) for the preceding calendar year. Such report should include but not be restricted to (1) a thorough statistical compilation of the accidents and injuries occurring in such year; (2) a list of all safety standards issued or in effect in such year; (3) the scope of observance of applicable Federal standards; (4) a statement of enforcement actions including judicial decisions, settlements, or pending litigation during the year; (5) a summary of all current research grants and contracts together with a description of the problems to be considered by such grants and contracts; (6) an analysis and evaluation of completed research activities and technological progress achieved during such year together with the relevant policy recommendations flowing therefrom: (7) the effectiveness of State highway safety program (including local highway safety programs) and (8) the extent to which technical information was being disseminated to the scientific community and consumer-oriented material was made available to the motoring public.

"(b) The annual report shall also contain such recommendations for additional legislation as the Secretary deems necessary to promote cooperation among the several States in the improvement of highway safety and to strengthen the national highway safety program."

[For termination, effective May 15, 2000, of provisions relating to transmittal of report to Congress in section 202 of Pub. L. 89–564, set out above, see section 3003 of Pub. L. 104–66, as amended, set out as a note under section 1113 of Title 31, Money and Finance, and page 135 of House Document No. 103–7.]

Detailed Cost Estimate of Highway Safety Act of 1966

Pub. L. 89–564, title II, §207, Sept. 9, 1966, 80 Stat. 737, directed Secretary, in cooperation with the Governors of appropriate State highway safety agencies, make a detailed estimate of the cost of carrying out the Highway Safety Act of 1966 in order to provide a basis for evaluating continuing programs under the Act and to furnish Congress information necessary for authorization of appropriations for fiscal years beginning after June 30, 1969, such estimates to be submitted to Congress not later than Jan. 10, 1968.

Interstate Compacts for Highway Safety

Pub. L. 85–684, Aug. 20, 1958, 72 Stat. 635, as amended by Pub. L. 88–466, Aug. 20 1964, 78 Stat. 564, provided: "That the consent of Congress is hereby given to any two or more of the several States, and one or more of the several States and the District of Columbia, to enter into agreements or compacts—

"(1) for cooperative effort and mutual assistance in the establishment and carrying out of traffic safety programs, including, but not limited to, the enactment of uniform traffic laws, driver education and training, coordination of traffic law enforcement, research into safe automobile and highway design, and research programs of the human factors affecting traffic safety, and

"(2) for the establishment of such agencies, joint or otherwise, as they deem desirable for the establishment and carrying out of such traffic safety programs."

§402. Highway safety programs

(a) Program Required.—

(1) In general.—Each State shall have in effect a highway safety program that—

(i) is designed to reduce—

(I) traffic crashes; and

(II) deaths, injuries, and property damage resulting from those crashes;

(ii) includes—

(I) an approved, current, triennial highway safety plan in accordance with subsection (k); and

(II) an approved grant application under subsection (l) for the fiscal year;

(iii) demonstrates compliance with the applicable administrative requirements of subsection (b)(1); and

(iv) is approved by the Secretary.

(2) Uniform guidelines.—Programs required under paragraph (1) shall comply with uniform guidelines, promulgated by the Secretary and expressed in terms of performance criteria, that—

(A) include programs—

(i) to reduce injuries and deaths resulting from motor vehicles being driven in excess of posted speed limits;

(ii) to encourage the proper use of safety belts by occupants of motor vehicles;

(iii) to encourage more widespread and proper use of child restraints, with an emphasis on underserved populations;

(iv) to reduce injuries and deaths resulting from persons driving motor vehicles while impaired by alcohol or a controlled substance;

(v) to prevent crashes and reduce injuries and deaths resulting from crashes involving motor vehicles and motorcycles;

(vi) to reduce injuries and deaths resulting from crashes involving school buses;

(vii) to reduce crashes resulting from unsafe driving behavior (including aggressive or fatigued driving and distracted driving arising from the use of electronic devices in vehicles);

(viii) to improve law enforcement services in motor vehicle crash prevention, traffic supervision, and post-crash procedures;

(ix) to increase driver awareness of commercial motor vehicles to prevent crashes and reduce injuries and fatalities;

(x) to reduce crashes caused by driver misuse or misunderstanding of new vehicle technology;

(xi) to increase vehicle recall awareness;

(xii) to provide to the public information relating to the risks of child heatstroke death when left unattended in a motor vehicle after the motor is deactivated by the operator;

(xiii) to reduce injuries and deaths resulting from the failure by drivers of motor vehicles to move to another traffic lane or reduce the speed of the vehicle when law enforcement, fire service, emergency medical services, or other emergency or first responder vehicles are stopped or parked on or next to a roadway with emergency lights activated; and

(xiv) to prevent crashes, injuries, and deaths caused by unsecured vehicle loads;

(B) improve driver performance, including—

(i) driver education;

(ii) driver testing to determine proficiency to operate motor vehicles; and

(iii) driver examinations (physical, mental, and driver licensing);

(C) improve pedestrian performance and bicycle safety;

(D) include provisions for—

(i) an effective record system of crashes (including resulting injuries and deaths);

(ii) crash investigations to determine the probable causes of crashes, injuries, and deaths;

(iii) vehicle registration, operation, and inspection; and

(iv) emergency services; and

(E) to the extent determined appropriate by the Secretary, are applicable to federally administered areas where a Federal department or agency controls the highways or supervises traffic operations.

(3) Additional considerations.—A State that has legalized medicinal or recreational marijuana shall take into consideration implementing programs in addition to the programs described in paragraph (2)(A)—

(A) to educate drivers regarding the risks associated with marijuana-impaired driving; and

(B) to reduce injuries and deaths resulting from individuals driving motor vehicles while impaired by marijuana.

(b) Administration of State Programs.—

(1) Administrative requirements.—The Secretary shall not approve a State highway safety program under this section which does not—

(A) provide that the Governor of the State shall be responsible for the administration of the program through a State highway safety agency which shall have adequate powers and be suitably equipped and organized to carry out, to the satisfaction of the Secretary, such program;

(B) provide for a comprehensive, data-driven traffic safety program that results from meaningful public participation and engagement from affected communities, particularly those most significantly impacted by traffic crashes resulting in injuries and fatalities;

(C) except as provided in paragraph (2), provide that at least 40 percent of all Federal funds apportioned under this section to the State for any fiscal year will be expended by the political subdivisions of the State, including Indian tribal governments, in carrying out local highway safety programs;

(D) provide adequate and reasonable access for the safe and convenient movement of individuals, including those with disabilities and those in wheelchairs, across curbs constructed or replaced on or after July 1, 1976, at all pedestrian crosswalks throughout the State;

(E) as part of a comprehensive program, support—

(i) data-driven traffic safety enforcement programs that foster effective community collaboration to increase public safety; and

(ii) data collection and analysis to ensure transparency, identify disparities in traffic enforcement, and inform traffic enforcement policies, procedures, and activities; and

(F) provide satisfactory assurances that the State will implement activities in support of national highway safety goals to reduce motor vehicle related fatalities that also reflect the primary data-related crash factors within a State as identified by the State highway safety planning process, including—

(i) national, high-visibility law enforcement mobilizations coordinated by the Secretary;

(ii) sustained enforcement of statutes addressing impaired driving, occupant protection, and driving in excess of posted speed limits;

(iii) an annual statewide safety belt use survey in accordance with criteria established by the Secretary for the measurement of State safety belt use rates to ensure that the measurements are accurate and representative;

(iv) development of statewide data systems to provide timely and effective data analysis to support allocation of highway safety resources;

(v) ensuring that the State will coordinate its highway safety plan, data collection, and information systems with the State strategic highway safety plan (as defined in section 148(a)); and

(vi) unless the State highway safety program is developed by American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or the United States Virgin Islands, participation in the Fatality Analysis Reporting System.

(2) Waiver.—The Secretary may waive the requirement of paragraph (1)(C), in whole or in part, for a fiscal year for any State whenever the Secretary determines that there is an insufficient number of local highway safety programs to justify the expenditure in the State of such percentage of Federal funds during the fiscal year.

(c) Use of Funds.—

(1) Use for state activities.—

(A) In general.—The funds authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section shall be used to aid the States to conduct the highway safety programs approved in accordance with subsection (a), including development and implementation of manpower training programs, and of demonstration programs that the Secretary determines will contribute directly to the reduction of crashes, and deaths and injuries resulting therefrom.

(B) Neighboring states.—A State, acting in cooperation with any neighboring State, may use funds provided under this section for a highway safety program that may confer a benefit on the neighboring State.

(2) Apportionment to states.—

(A) Definition of public road.—In this paragraph, the term "public road" means any road that is—

(i) subject to the jurisdiction of, and maintained by, a public authority; and

(ii) held open to public travel.

(B) Apportionment.—

(i) In general.—Except for the amounts identified in section 403(f) and the amounts subject to subparagraph (C), of the funds made available under this section—

(I) 75 percent shall be apportioned to each State based on the ratio that, as determined by the most recent decennial census—

(aa) the population of the State; bears to

(bb) the total population of all States; and

(II) 25 percent shall be apportioned to each State based on the ratio that, subject to clause (ii)—

(aa) the public road mileage in each State; bears to

(bb) the total public road mileage in all States.

(ii) Calculation.—For purposes of clause (i)(II), public road mileage shall be—

(I) determined as of the end of the calendar year preceding the year during which the funds are apportioned;

(II) certified by the Governor of the State; and

(III) subject to approval by the Secretary.

(C) Minimum apportionments.—The annual apportionment under this section to—

(i) each State shall be not less than ¾ of 1 percent of the total apportionment;

(ii) the Secretary of the Interior shall be not less than 2 percent of the total apportionment; and

(iii) the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands shall be not less than ¼ of 1 percent of the total apportionment.

(D) Penalty.—

(i) In general.—The funds apportioned under this section to a State that does not have approved or in effect a highway safety program described in subsection (a)(1) shall be reduced by an amount equal to not less than 20 percent of the amount that would otherwise be apportioned to the State under this section, until the date on which the Secretary, as applicable—

(I) approves such a highway safety program; or

(II) determines that the State is implementing such a program.

(ii) Factor for consideration.—In determining the amount of the reduction in funds apportioned to a State under this subparagraph, the Secretary shall take into consideration the gravity of the failure by the State to secure approval, or to implement, a highway safety program described in subsection (a)(1).

(E) Limitations.—

(i) In general.—A highway safety program approved by the Secretary shall not include any requirement that a State shall implement such a program by adopting or enforcing any law, rule, or regulation based on a guideline promulgated by the Secretary under this section requiring any motorcycle operator aged 18 years or older, or a motorcycle passenger aged 18 years or older, to wear a safety helmet when operating or riding a motorcycle on the streets and highways of that State.

(ii) Effect of guidelines.—Nothing in this section requires a State highway safety program to require compliance with every uniform guideline, or with every element of every uniform guideline, in every State.

(3) Reapportionment.—

(A) In general.—The Secretary shall promptly apportion to a State any funds withheld from the State under paragraph (2)(D) if the Secretary makes an approval or determination, as applicable, described in that paragraph by not later than July 31 of the fiscal year for which the funds were withheld.

(B) Continuing state failure.—If the Secretary determines that a State fails to correct a failure to have approved or in effect a highway safety program described in subsection (a)(1) by the date described in subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall reapportion the funds withheld from that State under paragraph (2)(D) for the fiscal year to the other States in accordance with the formula described in paragraph (2)(B) by not later than the last day of the fiscal year.

(4) Automated traffic enforcement systems.—

(A) Automated traffic enforcement system defined.—In this paragraph, the term "automated traffic enforcement system" means any camera which captures an image of a vehicle for the purposes only of red light and speed enforcement, and does not include hand held radar and other devices operated by law enforcement officers to make an on-the-scene traffic stop, issue a traffic citation, or other enforcement action at the time of the violation.

(B) Prohibition.—A State may not expend funds apportioned to that State under this section to carry out a program to purchase, operate, or maintain an automated traffic enforcement system.

(C) Special rule for school and work zones.—Notwithstanding subparagraph (B), a State may expend funds apportioned to the State under this section to carry out a program to purchase, operate, or maintain an automated traffic enforcement system in a work zone or school zone.

(D) Automated traffic enforcement system guidelines.—An automated traffic enforcement system installed pursuant to subparagraph (C) shall comply with such guidelines applicable to speed enforcement camera systems and red light camera systems as are established by the Secretary.

(d) All provisions of chapter 1 of this title that are applicable to National Highway System highway funds other than provisions relating to the apportionment formula and provisions limiting the expenditure of such funds to the Federal-aid systems, shall apply to the highway safety funds authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section, except as determined by the Secretary to be inconsistent with this section, and except that the aggregate of all expenditures made during any fiscal year by a State and its political subdivisions (exclusive of Federal funds) for carrying out the State highway safety program (other than planning and administration) shall be available for the purpose of crediting such State during such fiscal year for the non-Federal share of the cost of any project under this section (other than one for planning or administration) without regard to whether such expenditures were actually made in connection with such project and except that, in the case of a local highway safety program carried out by an Indian tribe, if the Secretary is satisfied that an Indian tribe does not have sufficient funds available to meet the non-Federal share of the cost of such program, he may increase the Federal share of the cost thereof payable under this Act to the extent necessary. In applying such provisions of chapter 1 in carrying out this section the term "State transportation department" as used in such provisions shall mean the Governor of a State for the purposes of this section.

(e) Uniform guidelines promulgated by the Secretary to carry out this section shall be developed in cooperation with the States, their political subdivisions, appropriate Federal departments and agencies, and such other public and private organizations as the Secretary deems appropriate.

(f) The Secretary may make arrangements with other Federal departments and agencies for assistance in the preparation of uniform guidelines for the highway safety programs contemplated by subsection (a) and in the administration of such programs. Such departments and agencies are directed to cooperate in such preparation and administration, on a reimbursable basis.

(g) Restriction.—Nothing in this section may be construed to authorize the appropriation or expenditure of funds for highway construction, maintenance, or design (other than design of safety features of highways to be incorporated into guidelines).

(h) Application in Indian Country.—

(1) Use of terms.—For the purpose of application of this section in Indian country, the terms "State" and "Governor of a State" include the Secretary of the Interior and the term "political subdivision of a State" includes an Indian tribe.

(2) Expenditures for local highway programs.—Notwithstanding subsection (b)(1)(C), 95 percent of the funds apportioned to the Secretary of the Interior under this section shall be expended by Indian tribes to carry out highway safety programs within their jurisdictions.

(3) Access for individuals with disabilities.—The requirements of subsection (b)(1)(D) shall be applicable to Indian tribes, except to those tribes with respect to which the Secretary determines that application of such provisions would not be practicable.

(4) Indian country defined.—In this subsection, the term "Indian country" means—

(A) all land within the limits of any Indian reservation under the jurisdiction of the United States, notwithstanding the issuance of any patent and including rights-of-way running through the reservation;

(B) all dependent Indian communities within the borders of the United States, whether within the original or subsequently acquired territory thereof and whether within or without the limits of a State; and

(C) all Indian allotments, the Indian titles to which have not been extinguished, including rights-of-way running through such allotments.

(i) Rulemaking Proceeding.—The Secretary may periodically conduct a rulemaking process to identify highway safety programs that are highly effective in reducing motor vehicle crashes, injuries, and deaths. Any such rulemaking shall take into account the major role of the States in implementing such programs. When a rule promulgated in accordance with this section takes effect, States shall consider these highly effective programs when developing their highway safety programs.

(j) Law Enforcement Vehicular Pursuit Training.—A State shall actively encourage all relevant law enforcement agencies in such State to follow the guidelines established for vehicular pursuits issued by the International Association of Chiefs of Police that are in effect on the date of enactment of this subsection or as revised and in effect after such date as determined by the Secretary.

(k) Triennial Highway Safety Plan.—

(1) In general.—For fiscal year 2024, and not less frequently than once every 3 fiscal years thereafter, the Secretary shall require each State, as a condition of the approval of the State's highway safety program for the 3 fiscal years covered by the plan, to develop and submit to the Secretary for approval a triennial highway safety plan that complies with the requirements under this subsection.

(2) Timing.—Each State shall submit to the Secretary a triennial highway safety plan by not later than July 1 of the fiscal year preceding the first fiscal year covered by the plan.

(3) Electronic submission.—The Secretary, in coordination with the Governors Highway Safety Association, shall develop procedures to allow States to submit triennial highway safety plans under this subsection, including any attachments to the plans, in electronic form.

(4) Contents.—Each State triennial highway safety plan submitted under paragraph (1) shall include, with respect to the 3 fiscal years covered by the plan, based on the information available on the date of submission under paragraph (2)—

(A) performance measures required by the Secretary or otherwise necessary to support additional State safety goals, including—

(i) documentation of current safety levels for each performance measure;

(ii) quantifiable performance targets that demonstrate constant or improved performance for each performance measure; and

(iii) a justification for each performance target, that explains why each target is appropriate and evidence-based;

(B) a countermeasure strategy for programming funds under this section for projects that will allow the State to meet the performance targets described in subparagraph (A), including a description—

(i) that demonstrates the link between the effectiveness of each proposed countermeasure strategy and those performance targets; and

(ii) of the manner in which each countermeasure strategy is informed by uniform guidelines issued by the Secretary;

(C) data and data analysis supporting the effectiveness of proposed countermeasures;

(D) a description of any Federal funds that the State plans to use, in addition to funds apportioned to the State under this section, to carry out the strategy described in subparagraph (B); and

(E) a report on the State's success in meeting State safety goals and performance targets set forth in the most recently submitted highway safety plan.

(5) Performance measures.—The Secretary shall develop minimum performance measures under paragraph (4)(A) in consultation with the Governors Highway Safety Association.

(6) Review of triennial highway safety plans.—

(A) In general.—Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall review and approve or disapprove a triennial highway safety plan of a State by not later than 60 days after the date on which the plan is received by the Secretary.

(B) Additional information.—

(i) In general.—The Secretary may request a State to submit to the Secretary such additional information as the Secretary determines to be necessary for review of the triennial highway safety plan of the State.

(ii) Extension of deadline.—On providing to a State a request for additional information under clause (i), the Secretary may extend the deadline to approve or disapprove the triennial highway safety plan of the State under subparagraph (A) for not more than an additional 90 days, as the Secretary determines to be necessary to accommodate that request, subject to clause (iii).

(iii) Timing.—Any additional information requested under clause (i) shall be submitted to the Secretary by not later than 7 business days after the date of receipt by the State of the request.

(C) Approvals and disapprovals.—

(i) Approvals.—The Secretary shall approve a State's triennial highway safety plan if the Secretary determines that—

(I) the plan and the performance targets contained in the plan are evidence-based and supported by data; and

(II) the plan, once implemented, will allow the State to meet the State's performance targets.

(ii) Disapprovals.—The Secretary shall disapprove a State's triennial highway safety plan if the Secretary determines that—

(I) the plan and the performance targets contained in the plan are not evidence-based or supported by data; or

(II) the plan does not provide for programming of funding in a manner sufficient to allow the State to meet the State's performance targets.

(D) Actions upon disapproval.—If the Secretary disapproves a State's triennial highway safety plan, the Secretary shall—

(i) inform the State of the reasons for such disapproval; and

(ii) require the State to resubmit the plan with any modifications that the Secretary determines to be necessary.

(E) Review of resubmitted plans.—If the Secretary requires a State to resubmit a triennial highway safety plan, with modifications, the Secretary shall review and approve or disapprove the modified plan not later than 30 days after the date on which the Secretary receives such plan.

(F) Public notice.—A State shall make the State's triennial highway safety plan, and decisions of the Secretary concerning approval or disapproval of a revised plan, available to the public.

(l) Annual Grant Application and Reporting Requirements.—

(1) Annual grant application.—

(A) In general.—To be eligible to receive grant funds under this chapter for a fiscal year, each State shall submit to the Secretary an annual grant application that, as determined by the Secretary—

(i) demonstrates alignment with the approved triennial highway safety plan of the State; and

(ii) complies with the requirements under this subsection.

(B) Timing.—The deadline for submission of annual grant applications under this paragraph shall be determined by the Secretary in accordance with section 406(d)(2).

(C) Contents.—An annual grant application under this paragraph shall include, at a minimum—

(i) such updates, as necessary, to any analysis included in the triennial highway safety plan of the State;

(ii) an identification of each project and subrecipient to be funded by the State using the grants during the upcoming grant year, subject to the condition that the State shall separately submit, on a date other than the date of submission of the annual grant application, a description of any projects or subrecipients to be funded, as that information becomes available;

(iii) a description of the means by which the strategy of the State to use grant funds was adjusted and informed by the previous report of the State under paragraph (2); and

(iv) an application for any additional grants available to the State under this chapter.

(D) Review.—The Secretary shall review and approve or disapprove an annual grant application under this paragraph by not later than 60 days after the date of submission of the application.

(2) Reporting requirements.—Not later than 120 days after the end of each fiscal year for which a grant is provided to a State under this chapter, the State shall submit to the Secretary an annual report that includes—

(A) an assessment of the progress made by the State in achieving the performance targets identified in the triennial highway safety plan of the State, based on the most currently available Fatality Analysis Reporting System data; and

(B)(i) a description of the extent to which progress made in achieving those performance targets is aligned with the triennial highway safety plan of the State; and

(ii) if applicable, any plans of the State to adjust a strategy for programming funds to achieve the performance targets.

(m) Teen Traffic Safety.—

(1) In general.—Subject to the requirements of the applicable triennial highway safety plan of the State, as approved by the Secretary under subsection (k), a State may use a portion of the amounts received under this section to implement statewide efforts to improve traffic safety for teen drivers.

(2) Use of funds.—Statewide efforts under paragraph (1)—

(A) shall include peer-to-peer education and prevention strategies in schools and communities designed to—

(i) increase safety belt use;

(ii) reduce speeding;

(iii) reduce impaired and distracted driving;

(iv) reduce underage drinking; and

(v) reduce other behaviors by teen drivers that lead to injuries and fatalities; and

(B) may include—

(i) working with student-led groups and school advisors to plan and implement teen traffic safety programs;

(ii) providing subgrants to schools throughout the State to support the establishment and expansion of student groups focused on teen traffic safety;

(iii) providing support, training, and technical assistance to establish and expand school and community safety programs for teen drivers;

(iv) creating statewide or regional websites to publicize and circulate information on teen safety programs;

(v) conducting outreach and providing educational resources for parents;

(vi) establishing State or regional advisory councils comprised of teen drivers to provide input and recommendations to the governor and the governor's safety representative on issues related to the safety of teen drivers;

(vii) collaborating with law enforcement;

(viii) establishing partnerships and promoting coordination among community stakeholders, including public, not-for-profit, and for profit entities;

(ix) increase driver awareness of commercial motor vehicles to prevent crashes and reduce injuries and fatalities; and

(x) support for school-based driver's education classes to improve teen knowledge about—

(I) safe driving practices; and

(II) State graduated driving license requirements, including behind-the-wheel training required to meet those requirements.

(n) Public Transparency.—

(1) In general.—The Secretary shall publicly release on a Department of Transportation website, by not later than 45 calendar days after the applicable date of availability—

(A) each triennial highway safety plan approved by the Secretary under subsection (k);

(B) each State performance target under subsection (k); and

(C) an evaluation of State achievement of applicable performance targets under subsection (k).

(2) State highway safety plan website.—

(A) In general.—In carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary shall establish a public website that is easily accessible, navigable, and searchable for the information required under that paragraph, in order to foster greater transparency in approved State highway safety programs.

(B) Contents.—The website established under subparagraph (A) shall—

(i) include the applicable triennial highway safety plan, and the annual report, of each State submitted to, and approved by, the Secretary under subsection (k); and

(ii) provide a means for the public to search the website for State highway safety program content required under subsection (k), including—

(I) performance measures required by the Secretary;

(II) progress made toward meeting the applicable performance targets during the preceding program year;

(III) program areas and expenditures; and

(IV) a description of any sources of funds, other than funds provided under this section, that the State proposes to use to carry out the triennial highway safety plan of the State.

(o) Unattended Passengers.—

(1) In general.—Each State shall use a portion of the amounts received by the State under this section to carry out a program to educate the public regarding the risks of leaving a child or unattended passenger in a vehicle after the vehicle motor is deactivated by the operator.

(2) Program placement.—Nothing in this subsection requires a State to carry out a program described in paragraph (1) through the State transportation or highway safety office.

(Added Pub. L. 89–564, title I, §101, Sept. 9, 1966, 80 Stat. 731; amended Pub. L. 90–495, §13, Aug. 23, 1968, 82 Stat. 822; Pub. L. 91–605, title II, §§202(c), (d), (e), 203(a), Dec. 31, 1970, 84 Stat. 1740, 1741; Pub. L. 93–87, title II, §§207, 215–217, 219, 228, 229, 231, Aug. 13, 1973, 87 Stat. 285, 290, 293, 294; Pub. L. 94–280, title II, §§204, 208(a), 211, 212, May 5, 1976, 90 Stat. 453, 454, 455; Pub. L. 95–599, title II, §207(a), (b)(1), (c), (d), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2731, 2732; Pub. L. 97–35, title XI, §1107(c)–(e), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 626; Pub. L. 97–424, title II, §208, Jan. 6, 1983, 96 Stat. 2140; Pub. L. 98–363, §§3(a), 5, July 17, 1984, 98 Stat. 436; Pub. L. 100–17, title I, §133(b)(20), title II, §206, Apr. 2, 1987, 101 Stat. 172, 221; Pub. L. 102–240, title II, §2002, Dec. 18, 1991, 105 Stat. 2070; Pub. L. 104–66, title I, §1121(d), Dec. 21, 1995, 109 Stat. 724; Pub. L. 105–178, title I, §1212(a)(2)(A)(i), title II, §2001(a)–(e), June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 193, 323, 324; Pub. L. 109–59, title II, §2002(a)–(d), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1521; Pub. L. 110–244, title III, §303(a)–(c)(1), June 6, 2008, 122 Stat. 1619; Pub. L. 112–141, div. C, title I, §31102, July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 734; Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title IV, §§4002, 4014(1), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1499, 1513; Pub. L. 115–420, §5(a), Jan. 3, 2019, 132 Stat. 5445; Pub. L. 117–58, div. B, title IV, §§24102(a), 24222(b), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 785, 835.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

This Act, referred to in subsec. (d), probably means Pub. L. 93–87, Aug. 13, 1973, 87 Stat. 250. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.

The date of enactment of this subsection, referred to in subsec. (j), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 109–59, which was approved Aug. 10, 2005.

Amendments

2021—Pub. L. 117–58, §24102(a)(1), (2), substituted "crashes" for "accidents" and "crash" for "accident" wherever appearing. Amendment was executed in subsec. (a)(2)(A)(viii) by substituting "post-crash" for "post-accident" to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 117–58, §24102(a)(3)(A), substituted "shall have in effect a highway safety program that—" and cls. (i) to (iv) for "shall have a highway safety program, approved by the Secretary, that is designed to reduce traffic accidents and the resulting deaths, injuries, and property damage."

Subsec. (a)(2)(A)(ii). Pub. L. 117–58, §24102(a)(3)(B)(i), substituted "safety belts" for "occupant protection devices (including the use of safety belts and child restraint systems)".

Subsec. (a)(2)(A)(iii) to (xiv). Pub. L. 117–58, §24102(a)(3)(B)(ii)–(v), added cls. (iii) and (x) to (xiv) and redesignated former cls. (iii) to (viii) as (iv) to (ix), respectively.

Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 117–58, §24102(a)(3)(C), added par. (3).

Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 117–58, §24102(a)(4)(A), substituted "shall" for "may" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (b)(1)(B). Pub. L. 117–58, §24102(a)(4)(B), added subpar. (B) and struck out former subpar. (B) which read as follows: "authorize political subdivisions of the State to carry out local highway safety programs within their jurisdictions as a part of the State highway safety program if such local highway safety programs are approved by the Governor and are in accordance with the minimum standards established by the Secretary under this section;".

Subsec. (b)(1)(C). Pub. L. 117–58, §24102(a)(4)(C), struck out "authorized in accordance with subparagraph (B)" after "local highway safety programs".

Subsec. (b)(1)(D). Pub. L. 117–58, §24102(a)(4)(D), substituted ", including those with disabilities and those in wheelchairs" for "with disabilities, including those in wheelchairs".

Subsec. (b)(1)(E). Pub. L. 117–58, §24102(a)(4)(E), added subpar. (E) and struck out former subpar. (E) which read as follows: "beginning on the first day of the first fiscal year after the date of enactment of the Motor Vehicle and Highway Safety Improvement Act of 2012 for which a State submits its highway safety plan under subsection (k), provide for a data-driven traffic safety enforcement program to prevent traffic violations, crashes, and crash fatalities and injuries in areas most at risk for such incidents, to the satisfaction of the Secretary;".

Subsec. (b)(1)(F)(i). Pub. L. 117–58, §24102(a)(4)(F)(i), substituted "national, high-visibility" for "national law enforcement mobilizations and high-visibility".

Subsec. (b)(1)(F)(vi). Pub. L. 117–58, §24102(a)(4)(F)(ii)–(iv), added cl. (vi).

Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 117–58, §24102(a)(5)(A), substituted "Use for state activities" for "In general" in par. heading; designated existing provisions as subpar. (A), inserted subpar. heading, and substituted "The funds authorized" for "Funds authorized"; and added subpar. (B).

Subsec. (c)(2), (3). Pub. L. 117–58, §24102(a)(5)(B), added pars. (2) and (3) and struck out former pars. (2) and (3) which related to apportionment and reapportionment of funds for highway safety programs, respectively.

Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 117–58, §24102(a)(5)(C), redesignated subpars. (A) and (B) as (B) and (A), respectively, added subpars. (C) and (D), and struck out former subpar. (C) which required a State with an automated traffic enforcement system to conduct a biennial survey that the Secretary would make publicly available through the Internet Web site of the Department of Transportation.

Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 117–58, §24102(a)(6)(A), substituted "Triennial Highway Safety Plan" for "Highway Safety Plan and Reporting Requirements" in heading.

Subsec. (k)(1). Pub. L. 117–58, §24102(a)(6)(A), (B), reenacted heading without change and substituted "For fiscal year 2024, and not less frequently than once every 3 fiscal years thereafter" for "With respect to fiscal year 2014, and each fiscal year thereafter" and "for the 3 fiscal years covered by the plan, to develop and submit to the Secretary for approval a triennial highway safety plan" for "for that fiscal year, to develop and submit to the Secretary for approval a highway safety plan".

Subsec. (k)(2). Pub. L. 117–58, §24102(a)(6)(C), added par. (2) and struck out former par. (2). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "Each State shall submit to the Secretary the highway safety plan not later than July 1st of the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year to which the plan applies."

Subsec. (k)(3). Pub. L. 117–58, §24102(a)(6)(D), inserted "triennial" before "highway".

Subsec. (k)(4)(A). Pub. L. 117–58, §24102(a)(6)(E)(i), in introductory provisions, substituted "Each State triennial highway safety plan" for "State highway safety plans" and inserted ", with respect to the 3 fiscal years covered by the plan, based on the information available on the date of submission under paragraph (2)" after "include".

Subsec. (k)(4)(A)(ii). Pub. L. 117–58, §24102(a)(6)(E)(ii), substituted "performance targets that demonstrate constant or improved performance" for "annual performance targets".

Subsec. (k)(4)(B). Pub. L. 117–58, §24102(a)(6)(E)(iii), added subpar. (B) and struck out former subpar. (B) which read as follows: "a strategy for programming funds apportioned to the State under this section on projects and activities that will allow the State to meet the performance targets described in subparagraph (A);".

Subsec. (k)(4)(D). Pub. L. 117–58, §24102(a)(6)(E)(iv), struck out ", State, local, or private" after "any Federal" and inserted "and" after semicolon at end.

Subsec. (k)(4)(E). Pub. L. 117–58, §24102(a)(6)(E)(v), struck out "for the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year to which the plan applies," before "a report" and substituted "performance targets set forth in the most recently submitted highway safety plan." for "performance targets set forth in the previous year's highway safety plan; and".

Subsec. (k)(4)(F). Pub. L. 117–58, §24102(a)(6)(E)(vi), struck out subpar. (F) which read as follows: "an application for any additional grants available to the State under this chapter."

Subsec. (k)(5). Pub. L. 117–58, §24102(a)(6)(F), added par. (5) and struck out former par. (5). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "For the first highway safety plan submitted under this subsection, the performance measures required by the Secretary under paragraph (3)(A) shall be limited to those developed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Governor's Highway Safety Association and described in the report, 'Traffic Safety Performance Measures for States and Federal Agencies' (DOT HS 811 025). For subsequent highway safety plans, the Secretary shall coordinate with the Governor's Highway Safety Association in making revisions to the set of required performance measures."

Subsec. (k)(6). Pub. L. 117–58, §24102(a)(6)(G)(i), inserted "triennial" before "highway" in heading.

Subsec. (k)(6)(A). Pub. L. 117–58, §24102(a)(6)(G)(iv), added subpar. (A) and struck out former subpar. (A). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "Not later than 45 days after the date on which a State's highway safety plan is received by the Secretary, the Secretary shall review and approve or disapprove the plan."

Subsec. (k)(6)(B). Pub. L. 117–58, §24102(a)(6)(G)(iv), added subpar. (B). Former subpar. (B) redesignated (C).

Subsec. (k)(6)(C). Pub. L. 117–58, §24102(a)(6)(G)(ii), (iii), redesignated subpar. (B) as (C) and inserted "triennial" before "highway" in two places. Former subpar. (C) redesignated (D).

Subsec. (k)(6)(D) to (F). Pub. L. 117–58, §24102(a)(6)(G)(ii), (iii), redesignated subpars. (C) to (E) as (D) to (F), respectively, and inserted "triennial" before "highway".

Subsec. (l). Pub. L. 117–58, §24102(a)(7), added subsec. (l).

Subsec. (m)(1). Pub. L. 117–58, §24102(a)(8), substituted "the applicable triennial highway safety plan of the State" for "a State's highway safety plan".

Subsec. (n). Pub. L. 117–58, §24102(a)(9), added subsec. (n) and struck out former subsec. (n). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "The Secretary shall publicly release on its website information that contains each State's performance with respect to the State's highway safety plan under subsection (k) and performance targets set by the States in such plans. Such information shall be posted on the website within 45 calendar days of approval of a State's highway safety plan."

Subsec. (o). Pub. L. 117–58, §24222(b), added subsec. (o).

2019—Subsec. (n). Pub. L. 115–420 added subsec. (n) and struck out former subsec. (n). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "Not later than October 1, 2015, and biennially thereafter, the Secretary shall submit a report to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate that contains—

"(1) an evaluation of each State's performance with respect to the State's highway safety plan under subsection (k) and performance targets set by the States in such plans; and

"(2) such recommendations as the Secretary may have for improvements to activities carried out under subsection (k)."

2015—Subsec. (a)(2)(A)(viii). Pub. L. 114–94, §4002(1), added cl. (viii).

Subsec. (b)(1)(C). Pub. L. 114–94, §4014(1)(A)(i), substituted "paragraph (2)" for "paragraph (3)".

Subsec. (b)(1)(E). Pub. L. 114–94, §4014(1)(A)(ii), substituted "for which" for "in which" and "under subsection (k)" for "under subsection (f)".

Subsec. (c)(4)(C). Pub. L. 114–94, §4002(2), added subpar. (C).

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 114–94, §4002(3), added subsec. (g) and struck out former subsec. (g). Prior to amendment, text read as follows:

"(1) In general.—Except as provided under paragraph (2), nothing in this section may be construed to authorize the appropriation or expenditure of funds for—

"(A) highway construction, maintenance, or design (other than design of safety features of highways to be incorporated into guidelines); or

"(B) any purpose for which funds are authorized under section 403.

"(2) Demonstration projects.—A State may use funds made available to carry out this section to assist in demonstration projects carried out by the Secretary under section 403."

Subsec. (k)(3). Pub. L. 114–94, §4002(4)(B), added par. (3). Former par. (3) redesignated (4).

Subsec. (k)(4). Pub. L. 114–94, §4014(1)(B), which directed substitution of "under paragraph (3)(A)" for "under paragraph (2)(A)" in par. (5) as redesignated by Pub. L. 114–94, §4002(4)(A), was executed by making substitution to par. (4) to reflect the probable intent of Congress. See Effective Date of 2015 Amendment note below.

Pub. L. 114–94, §4002(4)(A) redesignated par. (3) as (4). Former par. (4) redesignated (5).

Subsec. (k)(5). Pub. L. 114–94, §4002(4)(A), redesignated par. (4) as (5). Former par. (5) redesignated (6).

Subsec. (k)(6). Pub. L. 114–94, §4002(4)(A), redesignated par. (5) as (6).

Subsec. (k)(6)(A). Pub. L. 114–94, §4002(4)(C), substituted "45 days" for "60 days".

Subsec. (m)(2)(B)(ix), (x). Pub. L. 114–94, §4002(5), added cls. (ix) and (x).

2012—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 112–141, §31102(a), amended subsec. (a) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (a) related to State highway programs designed to reduce traffic accidents and deaths in accordance with uniform guidelines promulgated by the Secretary.

Subsec. (b)(1)(E), (F). Pub. L. 112–141, §31102(b)(1)(A)–(C), added subpar. (E) and redesignated former subpar. (E) as (F).

Subsec. (b)(1)(F)(i). Pub. L. 112–141, §31102(b)(1)(D)(i), inserted "and high-visibility law enforcement mobilizations coordinated by the Secretary" after "mobilizations".

Subsec. (b)(1)(F)(v). Pub. L. 112–141, §31102(b)(1)(D)(ii)–(iv), added cl. (v).

Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 112–141, §31102(b)(2), struck out par. (3). Text read as follows: "The Secretary may encourage States to use technologically advanced traffic enforcement devices (including the use of automatic speed detection devices such as photo-radar) by law enforcement officers."

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 112–141, §31102(c), inserted subsec. and par. headings and substantially revised text of subsec. (c). Prior to amendment, subsec. (c) related to use of funds appropriated to carry out this section.

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 112–141, §31102(d), amended subsec. (g) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (g) read as follows: "Nothing in this section authorizes the appropriation or expenditure of funds for (1) highway construction, maintenance, or design (other than design of safety features of highways to be incorporated into guidelines) or (2) any purpose for which funds are authorized by section 403 of this title."

Subsecs. (h) to (j). Pub. L. 112–141, §31102(e)(2), (3), redesignated subsecs. (i), (j), and (l) as (h), (i), and (j), respectively.

Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 112–141, §31102(e)(1), (f), added subsec. (k) and struck out former subsec. (k) which related to grants to States for the development and use of a comprehensive computerized safety recordkeeping system designed to correlate data regarding traffic accidents, drivers, motor vehicles, and roadways.

Subsec. (l). Pub. L. 112–141, §31102(e)(3), redesignated subsec. (l) as (j).

Subsec. (m). Pub. L. 112–141, §31102(e)(1), (g), added subsec. (m) and struck out former subsec. (m). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "The Secretary shall establish an approval process by which a State may apply for all grants under this chapter for which a single application process with one annual deadline is appropriate. The Bureau of Indian Affairs shall establish a similar simplified process for applications for grants from Indian tribes under this chapter."

Subsec. (n). Pub. L. 112–141, §31102(h), added subsec. (n).

2008—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 110–244, §303(c)(1)(A), repealed amendment by Pub. L. 109–59, §2002(b)(2). See 2005 Amendment note below.

Subsec. (b)(1)(E). Pub. L. 110–244, §303(c)(1)(B), renumbered Pub. L. 109–59, §2002(b)(1), (3), (4). See 2005 Amendment note below.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 110–244, §303(a), in fifth sentence, substituted "The annual apportionment to each State shall not be less than three-quarters of 1 percent" for "The annual apportionment to each State shall not be less than one-half of 1 per centum".

Subsec. (m). Pub. L. 110–244, §303(b), in first sentence, substituted "for which" for "through" and inserted "is appropriate" before period at end.

2005—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 109–59, §2002(a)(4), inserted "aggressive driving, fatigued driving, distracted driving," after "school bus accidents," in tenth sentence.

Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 109–59, §2002(a)(1), struck out "and to increase public awareness of the benefit of motor vehicles equipped with airbags" before comma at end.

Subsec. (a)(6), (7). Pub. L. 109–59, §2002(a)(2), (3), added cl. (6) and redesignated former cl. (6) as (7).

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 109–59, §2002(b)(2), which directed amendment of subsec. (b)(1) by redesignating cl. (6) as (7) and could not be executed, was repealed by Pub. L. 110–244, §303(c)(1)(A).

Subsec. (b)(1)(E). Pub. L. 109–59, §2002(b)(1)–(3), formerly §2002(b)(1), (3), (4), as renumbered by Pub. L. 110–244, §303(c)(1)(B), added subpar. (E).

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 109–59, §2002(c)(2), which directed amendment of subsec. (c) by substituting "2 percent" for "three-fourths of 1 percent" in sixth sentence, was executed by making the substitution in fifth sentence to reflect the probable intent of Congress and the amendment by Pub. L. 109–59, §2002(c)(1). See below.

Pub. L. 109–59, §2002(c)(1), struck out second sentence which read as follows: "Such funds shall be subject to a deduction not to exceed 5 per centum for the necessary costs of administering the provisions of this section, and the remainder shall be apportioned among the several States."

Subsecs. (l), (m). Pub. L. 109–59, §2002(d), added subsecs. (l) and (m).

1998—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 105–178, §2001(a), in fourth sentence, substituted "(4) to prevent accidents and" for "(4) to", in eighth sentence, struck out "include information obtained by the Secretary under section 4007 of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 and" before "provide for annual reports to the Secretary", and in twelfth sentence, inserted "enforcement of light transmission standards of window glazing for passenger motor vehicles and light trucks as necessary to improve highway safety," before "and emergency services".

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 105–178, §2001(b), inserted heading, redesignated pars. (3) to (5) as (1) to (3), respectively, substituted "paragraph (3)" for "paragraph (5)" in par. (1)(C) and "paragraph (1)(C)" for "paragraph (3)(C)" in par. (2), and struck out former pars. (1) and (2) which read as follows:

"(b)(1) The Secretary shall not approve any State highway safety program under this section which does not—

"(A) provide that the Governor of the State shall be responsible for the administration of the program through a State highway safety agency which shall have adequate powers, and be suitably equipped and organized to carry out, to the satisfaction of the Secretary, such program.

"(B) authorize political subdivisions of such State to carry out local highway safety programs within their jurisdictions as a part of the State highway safety program if such local highway safety programs are approved by the Governor and are in accordance with the uniform guidelines of the Secretary promulgated under this section.

"(C) provide that at least 40 per centum of all Federal funds apportioned under this section to such State for any fiscal year will be expended by the political subdivisions of such State in carrying out local highway safety programs authorized in accordance with subparagraph (B) of this paragraph.

"(D) provide adequate and reasonable access for the safe and convenient movement of physically handicapped persons, including those in wheelchairs, across curbs constructed or replaced on or after July 1, 1976, at all pedestrian crosswalks throughout the State.

"(E) provide for programs (which may include financial incentives and disincentives) to encourage the use of safety belts by drivers of, and passengers in, motor vehicles.

"(2) The Secretary is authorized to waive the requirement of subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) of this subsection, in whole or in part, for a fiscal year for any State whenever he determines that there is an insufficient number of local highway safety programs to justify the expenditure in such State of such percentage of Federal funds during such fiscal year."

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 105–178, §2001(c), in sixth sentence, inserted "the apportionment to the Secretary of the Interior shall not be less than three-fourths of 1 percent of the total apportionment and" before "the apportionments to the Virgin Islands".

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 105–178, §1212(a)(2)(A)(i), substituted "State transportation department" for "State highway department".

Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 105–178, §2001(d), inserted heading and amended text of subsec. (i) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "For the purpose of the application of this section on Indian reservations, 'State' and 'Governor of a State' includes the Secretary of the Interior and 'political subdivision of a State' includes an Indian tribe: Provided, That, notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (C) of subsection (b)(1) hereof, 95 per centum of the funds apportioned to the Secretary of the Interior after date of enactment, shall be expended by Indian tribes to carry out highway safety programs within their jurisdictions: And provided further, That the provisions of subparagraph (E) of subsection (b)(1) hereof shall be applicable except in those tribal jurisdictions in which the Secretary determines such programs would not be practicable."

Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 105–178, §2001(e), amended heading and text of subsec. (j) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "The Secretary shall, not later than September 1, 1987, begin a rulemaking process to determine those programs most effective in reducing accidents, injuries, and deaths. Not later than April 1, 1988, the Secretary shall promulgate a final rule establishing those programs determined to be most effective in reducing accidents, injuries, and deaths. If such rule is promulgated by April 1, 1988, then it shall take effect October 1, 1988. If such rule is not promulgated by April 1, 1988, it shall take effect October 1, 1989. After a rule is promulgated in accordance with this subsection, the Secretary may from time to time thereafter revise such rule under a rulemaking process described in the first sentence of this subsection. Any rule under this subsection shall be promulgated taking into account consideration of the States having a major role in establishing programs described in the first sentence of this subsection. When a rule promulgated in accordance with this subsection takes effect, only those programs established by such rule as most effective in reducing accidents, injuries, and deaths shall be eligible to receive Federal financial assistance under this section."

1995—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 104–66 struck out after fourth sentence "If the Secretary does not designate as priority programs those programs described in the preceding sentence, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report describing the reasons for not prioritizing such programs."

1991—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 102–240, §2002(a), inserted after third sentence "In addition, such uniform guidelines shall include programs (1) to reduce injuries and deaths resulting from motor vehicles being driven in excess of posted speed limits, (2) to encourage the proper use of occupant protection devices (including the use of safety belts and child restraint systems) by occupants of motor vehicles and to increase public awareness of the benefit of motor vehicles equipped with airbags, (3) to reduce deaths and injuries resulting from persons driving motor vehicles while impaired by alcohol or a controlled substance, (4) to reduce deaths and injuries resulting from accidents involving motor vehicles and motorcycles, (5) to reduce injuries and deaths resulting from accidents involving school buses, and (6) to improve law enforcement services in motor vehicle accident prevention, traffic supervision, and post-accident procedures. If the Secretary does not designate as priority programs those programs described in the preceding sentence, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report describing the reasons for not prioritizing such programs. The Secretary shall establish a highway safety program for the collection and reporting of data on traffic-related deaths and injuries by the States. Under such program, the States shall collect and report such data as the Secretary may require. The purposes of the program are to ensure national uniform data on such deaths and injuries and to allow the Secretary to make determinations for use in developing programs to reduce such deaths and injuries and making recommendations to Congress concerning legislation necessary to implement such programs. The program shall include information obtained by the Secretary under section 4007 of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 and provide for annual reports to the Secretary on the efforts being made by the States in reducing deaths and injuries occurring at highway construction sites and the effectiveness and results of such efforts. The Secretary shall establish minimum reporting criteria for the program. Such criteria shall include, but not be limited to, criteria on deaths and injuries resulting from police pursuits, school bus accidents, and speeding, on traffic-related deaths and injuries at highway construction sites and on the configuration of commercial motor vehicles involved in motor vehicle accidents."

Subsec. (b)(3) to (5). Pub. L. 102–240, §2002(b), added pars. (3) to (5).

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 102–240, §2002(c), substituted "National Highway System" for "Federal-aid primary".

1987—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 100–17, §206(a), (b), substituted "guidelines" for "standards" wherever appearing and struck out provisions authorizing the Secretary to temporarily amend or waive standards in public interest for purpose of evaluating new or different highway safety programs instituted on an experimental, pilot or demonstration basis.

Subsec. (b)(1)(B). Pub. L. 100–17, §206(a), substituted "guidelines" for "standards".

Subsec. (b)(1)(D) to (F). Pub. L. 100–17, §206(c), redesignated subpars. (E) and (F) as (D) and (E), respectively, and struck out former subpar. (D) which read as follows: "provide for comprehensive driver training programs, including (1) the initiation of a State program for driver education in the school systems or for a significant expansion and improvement of such a program already in existence, to be administered by appropriate school officials under the supervision of the Governor as set forth in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph; (2) the training of qualified school instructors and their certification; (3) appropriate regulation of other driver training schools, including licensing of the schools and certification of their instructors; (4) adult driver training programs, and programs for the retraining of selected drivers; (5) adequate research, development and procurement of practice driving facilities, simulators, and other similar teaching aids for both school and other driver training use, and (6) driver education programs, including research, that will assure greater safety for bicyclists using public roads in such State."

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 100–17, §§133(b)(20), 206(a), substituted "Such" for "For the fiscal years ending June 30, 1967, June 30, 1968, and June 30, 1969, such funds shall be apportioned 75 per centum on the basis of population and 25 per centum as the Secretary in his administrative discretion may deem appropriate and thereafter such", "American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands" for "and American Samoa", "The Secretary shall" for "After December 31, 1969, the Secretary shall", and "guideline" for "standard" wherever appearing.

Subsecs. (e) to (g). Pub. L. 100–17, §206(a), substituted "guidelines" for "standards".

Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 100–17, §206(d), amended subsec. (j) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (j) read as follows: "The Secretary of Transportation shall, not later than September 1, 1981, begin a rulemaking process to determine those programs most effective in reducing accidents, injuries, and deaths. Such rule shall be promulgated taking into account consideration of the States having a major role in establishing these programs. Not later than April 1, 1982, the Secretary shall promulgate a final rule establishing those programs determined most effective in reducing accidents, injuries, and deaths. Before such rule shall take effect, it shall be transmitted to Congress. If such rule is not transmitted by April 1, 1982, it shall not take effect before October 1, 1983. If such rule is transmitted by April 1, 1982, it shall take effect October 1, 1982, unless before June 1, 1982, either House of Congress by resolution disapproves such rule. If such rule is disapproved by either House of Congress, the Secretary shall not apportion or obligate any amount authorized to carry out this section for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1983, or any subsequent fiscal year, unless specifically authorized to do so by a statute enacted after the date of enactment of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981. When a rule promulgated in accordance with this subsection takes effect, only those programs established by such rule as most effective in reducing accidents, injuries, and deaths shall be eligible to receive Federal financial assistance under this chapter."

1984—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 98–363, §3(a), inserted ", except that the apportionments to the Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa shall be not less than one-quarter of 1 per centum of the total apportionment" in sixth sentence.

Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 98–363, §5, added subsec. (k).

1983—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 97–424 struck out provision that apportionments to Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa were not to be less than one third of 1 per centum of total apportionment from provision relating to the minimum apportionment for each State.

1981—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 97–35, §1107(e), struck out subpar. (D) which related to aggregate expenditure of funds, and redesignated subpars. (E) to (G) as (D) to (F), respectively.

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 97–35, §1107(c), struck out subsec. (h) which related to continuation in effect of uniform safety standards promulgated on or before July 1, 1973.

Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 97–35, §1107(d), substituted provisions requiring the Secretary to begin by Sept. 1, 1981, a rulemaking process to determine the most effective programs to reduce accidents, injuries, and deaths, and procedures applicable to the process, for provisions authorizing the Secretary to make incentive grants to States most progressive in reducing traffic fatalities, criteria, duration, etc., of such grants, and authorization of appropriations.

1978—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 95–599, §207(a), inserted "including, but not limited to, such programs for identifying accident causes, adopting measures to reduce accidents, and evaluating effectiveness of such measures" after "one or more States".

Subsec. (b)(1)(A). Pub. L. 95–599, §207(b)(1), substituted "State highway safety agency" for "State agency".

Subsec. (b)(1)(G). Pub. L. 95–599, §207(c), added subpar. (G).

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 95–599, §207(d), inserted "(other than planning and administration)" after "State highway safety program" and "(other than one for planning or administration)" after "cost of any project under this section".

1976—Subsec. (c), sixth sentence. Pub. L. 94–280, §211, inserted exception provision requirement that the apportionments to the Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa be not less than one-third of 1 per centum of the total apportionment.

Subsec. (c), eighth and ninth sentences. Pub. L. 94–280, §208(a), inserted eighth and ninth sentences: excluding from any highway safety program approved by the Secretary any requirement that a State implement a Federal safety helmet wearing standard for operators or passengers of motorcycles by adopting or enforcing any law, rule, or regulation based on the Federal standard, and authorizing State implementation of a highway safety program without compliance with every uniform standard in every State; and deleted prior eighth, ninth, and tenth sentences providing for: a 10 per centum reduction of funds apportioned to a State on or after January 1, 1970, for nonimplementation of a highway safety program approved by the Secretary during such a period; suspension of application of such provision during necessary periods when in the public interest; and reapportionment of withheld amounts to other States in accordance with applicable provisions of law, now covered in the tenth through thirteenth sentences.

Subsec. (c), tenth through thirteenth sentences. Pub. L. 94–280, §212, inserted provisions for: a 50 per centum reduction of funds apportioned to a State during time of absence or nonimplementation of a highway safety program; gravity rule in determining amount of reduction of funds; apportionment to a State of withheld funds prior to the end of the fiscal year for which the funds were withheld in event of approval of or State implementation of a highway safety program; and for reapportionment of funds to other States in accordance with the prescribed formula not later than 30 days after determination of absence of correction by a State, similar provisions being formerly covered in prior eighth, ninth, and tenth sentences providing for: a 10 per centum reduction of funds apportioned to a State on or after January 1, 1970, for nonimplementation of a highway safety program approved by the Secretary during such a period; suspension of application of such provision during necessary periods when in the public interest; and reapportionment of withheld amounts to other States in accordance with applicable provisions of law.

Subsec. (j)(3) to (5). Pub. L. 94–280, §204, added par. (3) provisions respecting incentive safety grants, struck out prior par. (3) provisions limiting incentive awards authorized by this section to 25 per centum of each State's apportionment as authorized by this chapter, and added pars. (4) and (5).

1973—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 93–87, §231(a), provided for promulgation of uniform standards so as to improve bicycle safety.

Subsec. (b)(1)(E)(6). Pub. L. 93–87, §231(b), added item (6) of subpar. (E).

Subsec. (b)(1)(F). Pub. L. 93–87, §228, added subpar. (F).

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 93–87, §§215–217, provided for use of funds for development and implementation of manpower training programs, and of demonstration programs that the Secretary determines will contribute directly to the reduction of accidents, and deaths and injuries resulting therefrom and inserted "Such funds" before "shall be subject to a deduction"; provided for the determination of public road mileage as of the end of the calendar year preceding the year in which the funds are apportioned and shall be certified to by the Governor of the State and subject to approval by the Secretary; and increased the annual apportionment to each State from "one-third of 1 per centum" to "one-half of 1 per centum" of the total apportionment, respectively.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 93–87, §207(b), inserted at end of first sentence provision that in the case of a local highway safety program carried out by an Indian tribe, if the Secretary is satisfied that an Indian tribe does not have sufficient funds available to meet the non-Federal share of the cost of such program, he may increase the Federal share of the cost thereof payable under this Act to the extent necessary.

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 93–87, §229, substituted provisions for continuation of uniform safety standards promulgated under this section on or before July 1, 1973, unless otherwise specifically provided by law enacted after Aug. 13, 1973, and prohibiting the Secretary from promulgating any other uniform safety standard under this section (including by revision of a standard continued in effect by the preceding sentence) unless otherwise specifically provided by law enacted after Aug. 13, 1973, for former prohibition against promulgation of any other uniform safety standard unless at least 90 days prior to the effective date of such standard the Secretary shall have submitted such standard to Congress, except in the case of State safety program elements with respect to which uniform standards have been promulgated by the Secretary before Dec. 31, 1970.

Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 93–87, §207(a), added subsec. (i).

Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 93–87, §219, added subsec. (j).

1970—Subsec. (b)(1)(A). Pub. L. 91–605, §203(A), required the Governor of a State be responsible for the administration of the State highway safety program through a State agency suitably organized and possessed of adequate powers to carry out such programs to the satisfaction of the Secretary.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 91–605, §202(c), provided a formula for apportionments to States, after June 30, 1969, to carry out this section, whereby 75% of the appropriation is based on the ratio which the population of each State bears to the total population of all the States and 25% of the appropriation is based on the ratio which the public road mileage in each State bears to the total public road mileage in all States, defined "public road", provided the annual apportionment to each State not to be less than one-third of 1% of the total apportionment, struck out provisions authorizing appropriations after June 30, 1969 to be apportioned as Congress shall provide and struck out provisions mandating the Secretary to report to Congress his recommendations for a nondiscretionary formula of apportionment for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1970, and the fiscal years thereafter.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 91–605, §202(d), provided that the aggregate of all expenditures made during any fiscal year by a State and its political subdivisions for carrying out the State highway safety program be available for crediting such State for the non-Federal share of the cost of any project under this section without regard to whether such expenditures were actually made in connection with such project.

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 91–605, §202(e), added subsec. (h).

1968—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 90–495 substituted "December 31, 1969" for "December 31, 1968" as the last day on which the Secretary may apportion funds to States which are not implementing highway safety programs approved by the Secretary and substituted "January 1, 1970" for "January 1, 1969" as the date after which funds apportioned to States not having approved safety programs shall be reduced until a safety program is implemented.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2021 Amendment

Pub. L. 117–58, div. B, title IV, §24102(b), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 792, provided that: "The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect with respect to any grant application or State highway safety plan submitted under chapter 4 of title 23, United States Code, for fiscal year 2024 or thereafter."

Effective Date of 2015 Amendment

Except as otherwise provided, amendment by Pub. L. 114–94 effective Oct. 1, 2015, see section 1003 of Pub. L. 114–94, set out as a note under section 5313 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

Amendment by section 4002 of Pub. L. 114–94 effective Oct. 1, 2016, see section 4015 of Pub. L. 114–94, set out as a note under section 164 of this title.

Effective Date of 2012 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 112–141 effective Oct. 1, 2012, see section 3(a) of Pub. L. 112–141, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 2012 Amendment note under section 101 of this title.

Effective Date of 2008 Amendment

Amendment by sections 101(s)(2) and 303(c)(1) of Pub. L. 110–244 effective as of the date of enactment of Pub. L. 109–59 (Aug. 10, 2005) and to be treated as included in Pub. L. 109–59 as of that date, and provisions of Pub. L. 109–59, as in effect on the day before June 6, 2008, that are amended by Pub. L. 110–244 to be treated as not enacted, see section 121(b) of Pub. L. 110–244, set out as a note under section 101 of this title.

Pub. L. 110–244, title III, §303(a), June 6, 2008, 122 Stat. 1619, provided that the amendment made by section 303(a) is effective Oct. 1, 2007.

Effective Date of 2005 Amendment

Pub. L. 109–59, title II, §2022, Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1544, provided that: "Sections 2002 through 2007 of this title [amending this section and sections 403, 405, 406, 408, and 410 of this title and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 403 and 410 of this title] (and the amendments and repeals made by such sections) shall take effect October 1, 2005."

Effective Date of 1991 Amendment

Pub. L. 102–240, title II, §2008, Dec. 18, 1991, 105 Stat. 2080, provided that: "Except as otherwise provided, this title [amending this section and sections 403 and 410 of this title and sections 1392, 1413, and 1414 of Title 15, Commerce and Trade, enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and sections 401, 403, and 410 of this title and section 1392 of Title 15, and amending provisions set out as a note under section 401 of this title], including the amendments made by this title, shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 18, 1991], shall apply to funds authorized to be appropriated or made available after September 30, 1991, and shall not apply to funds appropriated or made available on or before such date of enactment."

Effective Date of 1984 Amendment

Amendment by section 3(a) of Pub. L. 98–363 applicable to fiscal years beginning after July 17, 1984, see section 3(c) of Pub. L. 98–363, set out as a note under section 401 of this title.

Effective Date of 1981 Amendment

Pub. L. 97–35, title XI, §1107(c), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 626, provided that the amendment made by that section is effective Oct. 1, 1982.

Effective Date of 1978 Amendment

Pub. L. 95–599, title II, §207(b)(2), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2731, provided that: "The amendment made by paragraph (1) of this subsection [amending this section] shall take effect January 1, 1979."

Effective Date of 1970 Amendment

Pub. L. 91–605, title II, §203(b), Dec. 31, 1970, 84 Stat. 1741, provided that: "The amendment made by subsection (a) of this section [amending this section] shall take effect December 31, 1971."

Effective Date of 1968 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 90–495 effective Aug. 23, 1968, see section 37 of Pub. L. 90–495, set out as a note under section 101 of this title.

Public Safety Messaging Campaign

Pub. L. 117–58, div. B, title IV, §24110(b), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 810, provided that:

"(1) In general.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act [Nov. 15, 2021], the Secretary [of Transportation] shall establish and implement a public safety messaging campaign that uses public safety media messages, posters, digital media messages, and other media messages distributed to States, State departments of motor vehicles, schools, and other public outlets—

"(A) to highlight the importance of addressing the illegal passing of school buses; and

"(B) to educate students and the public regarding the safe loading and unloading of schools [sic] buses.

"(2) Consultation.—In carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consult with—

"(A) representatives of the school bus industry from the public and private sectors; and

"(B) States.

"(3) Updates.—The Secretary shall periodically update the materials used in the campaign under paragraph (1)."

Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant Program

Pub. L. 117–58, div. B, title IV, §24112, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 815, provided that:

"(a) Definitions.—In this section:

"(1) Comprehensive safety action plan.—The term 'comprehensive safety action plan' means a plan aimed at preventing transportation-related fatalities and serious injuries in a locality, commonly referred to as a 'Vision Zero' or 'Toward Zero Deaths' plan, that may include—

"(A) a goal and timeline for eliminating fatalities and serious injuries;

"(B) an analysis of the location and severity of vehicle-involved crashes in a locality;

"(C) an analysis of community input, gathered through public outreach and education;

"(D) a data-driven approach to identify projects or strategies to prevent fatalities and serious injuries in a locality, such as those involving—

"(i) education and community outreach;

"(ii) effective methods to enforce traffic laws and regulations;

"(iii) new vehicle or other transportation-related technologies; and

"(iv) roadway planning and design; and

"(E) mechanisms for evaluating the outcomes and effectiveness of the comprehensive safety action plan, including the means by which that effectiveness will be reported to residents in a locality.

"(2) Eligible entity.—The term 'eligible entity' means—

"(A) a metropolitan planning organization;

"(B) a political subdivision of a State;

"(C) a federally recognized Tribal government; and

"(D) a multijurisdictional group of entities described in any of subparagraphs (A) through (C).

"(3) Eligible project.—The term 'eligible project' means a project—

"(A) to develop a comprehensive safety action plan;

"(B) to conduct planning, design, and development activities for projects and strategies identified in a comprehensive safety action plan; or

"(C) to carry out projects and strategies identified in a comprehensive safety action plan.

"(4) Program.—The term 'program' means the Safe Streets and Roads for All program established under subsection (b).

"(b) Establishment.—The Secretary [of Transportation] shall establish and carry out a program, to be known as the Safe Streets and Roads for All program, that supports local initiatives to prevent death and serious injury on roads and streets, commonly referred to as 'Vision Zero' or 'Toward Zero Deaths' initiatives.

"(c) Grants.—

"(1) In general.—In carrying out the program, the Secretary may make grants to eligible entities, on a competitive basis, in accordance with this section.

"(2) Limitations.—

"(A) In general.—Not more than 15 percent of the funds made available to carry out the program for a fiscal year may be awarded to eligible projects in a single State during that fiscal year.

"(B) Planning grants.—Of the total amount made available to carry out the program for each fiscal year, not less than 40 percent shall be awarded to eligible projects described in subsection (a)(3)(A).

"(d) Selection of Eligible Projects.—

"(1) Solicitation.—Not later than 180 days after the date on which amounts are made available to provide grants under the program for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall solicit from eligible entities grant applications for eligible projects in accordance with this section.

"(2) Applications.—

"(A) In general.—To be eligible to receive a grant under the program, an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary an application in such form and containing such information as the Secretary considers to be appropriate.

"(B) Requirement.—An application for a grant under this paragraph shall include mechanisms for evaluating the success of applicable eligible projects and strategies.

"(3) Considerations.—In awarding a grant under the program, the Secretary shall take into consideration the extent to which an eligible entity, and each eligible project proposed to be carried out by the eligible entity, as applicable—

"(A) is likely to significantly reduce or eliminate transportation-related fatalities and serious injuries involving various road users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, public transportation users, motorists, and commercial operators, within the timeframe proposed by the eligible entity;

"(B) demonstrates engagement with a variety of public and private stakeholders;

"(C) seeks to adopt innovative technologies or strategies to promote safety;

"(D) employs low-cost, high-impact strategies that can improve safety over a wider geographical area;

"(E) ensures, or will ensure, equitable investment in the safety needs of underserved communities in preventing transportation-related fatalities and injuries;

"(F) includes evidence-based projects or strategies; and

"(G) achieves such other conditions as the Secretary considers to be necessary.

"(4) Transparency.—

"(A) In general.—The Secretary shall evaluate, through a methodology that is discernible and transparent to the public, the means by, and extent to, which each application under the program addresses any applicable merit criteria established by the Secretary.

"(B) Publication.—The methodology under subparagraph (A) shall be published by the Secretary as part of the notice of funding opportunity under the program.

"(e) Federal Share.—The Federal share of the cost of an eligible project carried out using a grant provided under the program shall not exceed 80 percent.

"(f) Funding.—

"(1) Authorization of appropriations.—There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $200,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026, to remain available for a period of 3 fiscal years following the fiscal year for which the amounts are appropriated.

"(2) Administrative expenses.—Of the amounts made available to carry out the program for a fiscal year, the Secretary may retain not more than 2 percent for the administrative expenses of the program.

"(3) Availability to eligible entities.—Amounts made available under a grant under the program shall remain available for use by the applicable eligible entity until the date that is 5 years after the date on which the grant is provided.

"(g) Data Submission.—

"(1) In general.—As a condition of receiving a grant under this program, an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary, on a regular basis as established by the Secretary, data, information, or analyses collected or conducted in accordance with subsection (d)(3).

"(2) Form.—The data, information, and analyses under paragraph (1) shall be submitted in such form such manner as may be prescribed by the Secretary.

"(h) Reports.—Not later than 120 days after the end of the period of performance for a grant under the program, the eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary a report that describes—

"(1) the costs of each eligible project carried out using the grant;

"(2) the outcomes and benefits that each such eligible project has generated, as—

"(A) identified in the grant application of the eligible entity; and

"(B) measured by data, to the maximum extent practicable; and

"(3) the lessons learned and any recommendations relating to future projects or strategies to prevent death and serious injury on roads and streets.

"(i) Best Practices.—Based on the information submitted by eligible entities under subsection (g), the Secretary shall—

"(1) periodically post on a publicly available website best practices and lessons learned for preventing transportation-related fatalities and serious injuries pursuant to strategies or interventions implemented under the program; and

"(2) evaluate and incorporate, as appropriate, the effectiveness of strategies and interventions implemented under the program for the purpose of enriching revisions to the document entitled 'Countermeasures That Work: A Highway Safety Countermeasure Guide for State Highway Safety Offices, Ninth Edition' and numbered DOT HS 812 478 (or any successor document)."

Pedestrian and Cyclists Information and Enhanced Performance Management

Pub. L. 117–58, div. B, title IV, §24113(b), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 818, provided that:

"(1) In general.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act [Nov. 15, 2021], the Secretary [of Transportation] shall implement the recommendations of the Comptroller General of the United States contained in the report entitled 'Pedestrians and Cyclists: Better Information to States and Enhanced Performance Management Could Help DOT Improve Safety', numbered GAO–21–405, and dated May 20, 2021, by—

"(A) carrying out measures to collect information relating to the range of countermeasures implemented by States;

"(B) analyzing that information to help advance knowledge regarding the effectiveness of those countermeasures; and

"(C) sharing with States any results.

"(2) Performance management practices.—The Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shall use performance management practices to guide pedestrian and cyclist safety activities by—

"(A) developing performance measures for the Administration and program offices responsible for implementing pedestrian and cyclist safety activities to demonstrate the means by which those activities contribute to safety goals; and

"(B) using performance information to make any necessary changes to advance pedestrian and cyclist safety efforts."

Increasing Public Awareness of the Dangers of Drug-Impaired Driving

Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title IV, §4009, Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1511, provided that:

"(a) Additional Actions.—The Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in consultation with the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, State highway safety offices, and other interested parties, as determined by the Administrator, shall identify and carry out additional actions that should be undertaken by the Administration to assist States in their efforts to increase public awareness of the dangers of drug-impaired driving, including the dangers of driving while under the influence of heroin or prescription opioids.

"(b) Report.—Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 4, 2015], the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report that describes the additional actions undertaken by the Administration pursuant to subsection (a)."

Regulatory Authority; State Matching Requirements; Grant Application and Deadline

Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title IV, §4001(d)–(f), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1498, provided that:

"(d) Regulatory Authority.—Grants awarded under this title [title IV of div. A of Pub. L. 114–94, see Tables for classification] shall be carried out in accordance with regulations issued by the Secretary [of Transportation].

"(e) State Matching Requirements.—If a grant awarded under chapter 4 of title 23, United States Code, requires a State to share in the cost, the aggregate of all expenditures for highway safety activities made during a fiscal year by the State and its political subdivisions (exclusive of Federal funds) for carrying out the grant (other than planning and administration) shall be available for the purpose of crediting the State during such fiscal year for the non-Federal share of the cost of any other project carried out under chapter 4 of title 23, United States Code (other than planning or administration), without regard to whether such expenditures were made in connection with such project.

"(f) Grant Application and Deadline.—To receive a grant under chapter 4 of title 23, United States Code, a State shall submit an application, and the Secretary shall establish a single deadline for such applications to enable the award of grants early in the next fiscal year."

Similar provisions were contained in the following prior acts:

Pub. L. 112–141, div. C, title I, §31101(d)–(f), July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 733.

Safe Routes to School Program

Pub. L. 109–59, title I, §1404, Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1228, as amended by Pub. L. 110–244, §101(s)(2), June 6, 2008, 122 Stat. 1577, which required the Secretary of Transportation to establish and carry out a safe routes to school program for the benefit of children in primary and middle schools and apportioned funds to carry out such program to States, was repealed by Pub. L. 117–58, div. A, title I, §11119(b)(2), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 497, effective Oct. 1, 2021. See section 208 of this title.

Roadway Safety

Pub. L. 109–59, title I, §1411, Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1234, provided that:

"(a) Road Safety.—

"(1) In general.—The Secretary [of Transportation] shall enter into an agreement to assist in the activities of a national nonprofit organization that is dedicated solely to improving public road safety—

"(A) by improving the quality of data pertaining to public road hazards and design features that affect or increase the severity of motor vehicle crashes;

"(B) by developing and carrying out a public awareness campaign to educate State and local transportation officials, public safety officials, and motorists regarding the extent to which public road hazards and design features are a factor in motor vehicle crashes; and

"(C) by promoting public road safety research and technology transfer activities.

"(2) Funding.—There is authorized to be appropriated from the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) $500,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2009 to carry out this subsection.

"(3) Applicability of title 23.—Funds made available by this subsection shall be available for obligation in the same manner as if such funds were apportioned under chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code, except that the funds shall remain available until expended.

"(b) Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Grants.—

"(1) In general.—The Secretary [of Transportation] shall make grants to a national, not-for-profit organization engaged in promoting bicycle and pedestrian safety—

"(A) to operate a national bicycle and pedestrian clearinghouse;

"(B) to develop information and educational programs; and

"(C) to disseminate techniques and strategies for improving bicycle and pedestrian safety.

"(2) Funding.—There is authorized to be appropriated from the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) $300,000 for fiscal year 2005 and $500,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2009 to carry out this subsection.

"(3) Applicability of title 23.—Funds made available by this subsection shall be available for obligation in the same manner as if such funds were apportioned under chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code, except that the funds shall remain available until expended."

Grant Program To Prohibit Racial Profiling

Pub. L. 109–59, title I, §1906, Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1468, as amended by Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title IV, §4011, Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1512; Pub. L. 117–58, div. B, title V, §25024, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 879, provided that:

"(a) Grants.—Subject to the requirements of this section, the Secretary [of Transportation] shall make grants to a State that—

"(1) is maintaining and allows public inspection of statistical information for each motor vehicle stop made by a law enforcement officer on a Federal-aid highway in the State regarding the race and ethnicity of the driver; or

"(2) provides assurances satisfactory to the Secretary that the State is undertaking activities to comply with the requirements of paragraph (1).

"(b) Use of Grant Funds.—A grant received by a State under subsection (a) shall be used by the State for the costs of—

"(1) collecting and maintaining data on traffic stops;

"(2) evaluating the results of the data; and

"(3) developing and implementing programs, public outreach, and training to reduce the impact of traffic stops described in subsection (a)(1).

"(c) Maximum Amount.—The total amount provided to a State under this section in any fiscal year may not exceed—

"(1) for a State described in subsection (a)(1), 10 percent of the amount made available to carry out this section in that fiscal year; and

"(2) for a State described in subsection (a)(2), 5 percent of the amount made available to carry out this section in that fiscal year.

"(d) Funding.—

"(1) In general.—From funds made available under section 403 of title 23, United States Code, the Secretary shall set aside $11,500,000 for each fiscal year to carry out this section.

"(2) Contract authority.—Funds made available under this subsection shall be available for obligation in the same manner as if the funds were apportioned under chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code, except the Federal share of the cost of activities carried out using such funds shall be 80 percent.

"(3) Technical assistance.—The Secretary may allocate not more than 10 percent of the amount made available to carry out this section in a fiscal year to provide technical assistance to States to carry out activities under this section.

"(4) Other uses.—The Secretary may reallocate, before the last day of any fiscal year, amounts remaining available under paragraph (1) to increase the amounts made available to carry out any of other activities authorized under section 403 of title 23, United States Code, in order to ensure, to the maximum extent possible, that all such amounts are obligated during such fiscal year."

High Visibility Enforcement Program

Pub. L. 109–59, title II, §2009, Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1535, as amended by Pub. L. 111–147, title IV, §421(h)(1), Mar. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 85; Pub. L. 112–30, title I, §121(h)(1), Sept. 16, 2011, 125 Stat. 347; Pub. L. 112–141, div. C, title I, §31106, July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 755; Pub. L. 113–159, title I, §1101(a)(5)(B), Aug. 8, 2014, 128 Stat. 1843; Pub. L. 114–21, title I, §1101(a)(5)(B), May 29, 2015, 129 Stat. 221; Pub. L. 114–41, title I, §1101(a)(5)(B), July 31, 2015, 129 Stat. 447; Pub. L. 114–73, title I, §1101(a)(5)(B), Oct. 29, 2015, 129 Stat. 571; Pub. L. 114–87, title I, §1101(a)(5)(B), Nov. 20, 2015, 129 Stat. 680, provided that:

"(a) In General.—The Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shall establish and administer a program under which at least 3 high-visibility traffic safety law enforcement campaigns will be carried out for the purposes specified in subsection (b) in each of fiscal years 2013 through 2015 and in the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on December 4, 2015. The Administrator may also initiate and support additional campaigns in each of fiscal years 2013 through 2015 and in the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on December 4, 2015, for the purposes specified in subsection (b).

"(b) Purpose.—The purpose of each law enforcement campaign under this section shall be to achieve outcomes related to at least 1 of the following objectives:

"(1) Reduce alcohol-impaired or drug-impaired operation of motor vehicles.

"(2) Increase use of seat belts by occupants of motor vehicles.

"(c) Advertising.—The Administrator may use, or authorize the use of, funds available to carry out this section to pay for the development, production, and use of broadcast and print media advertising and Internet-based outreach in carrying out traffic safety law enforcement campaigns under this section. Consideration shall be given to advertising directed at non-English speaking populations, including those who listen, read, or watch nontraditional media.

"(d) Coordination With States.—The Administrator shall coordinate with the States in carrying out the traffic safety law enforcement campaigns under this section, including advertising funded under subsection (c), with a view to—

"(1) relying on States to provide the law enforcement resources for the campaigns out of funding available under this section and sections 402, 405, [former] 406, and [former] 410 of title 23, United States Code; and

"(2) providing out of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration resources most of the means necessary for national advertising and education efforts associated with the law enforcement campaigns.

"(e) Use of Funds.—Funds made available to carry out this section may only be used for activities described in subsection (c).

"(f) State Defined.—The term 'State' has the meaning such term has under section 401 of title 23, United States Code."

Motorcyclist Safety

Pub. L. 109–59, title II, §2010, Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1535, as amended by Pub. L. 111–147, title IV, §421(i)(1), Mar. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 85; Pub. L. 112–30, title I, §121(i)(1), Sept. 16, 2011, 125 Stat. 347, related to grants to States adopting programs for motorcyclist safety, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 112–141, div. C, title I, §31109(g), July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 757.

First Responder Vehicle Safety Program

Pub. L. 109–59, title II, §2014, Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1540, provided for a Federal program to promote compliance with State and local laws regarding first responder vehicle safety, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 112–141, div. C, title I, §31109(j), July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 757.

Law Enforcement Training

Pub. L. 109–59, title II, §2017(b), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1542, as amended by Pub. L. 111–147, title IV, §421(n)(2), Mar. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 86; Pub. L. 112–30, title I, §121(n)(2), Sept. 16, 2011, 125 Stat. 348, related to law enforcement training and police chase techniques, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 112–141, div. C, title I, §31109(l), July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 757, effective Oct. 1, 2012.

National Bicycle Safety Education Curriculum

Pub. L. 105–178, title I, §1202(e), June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 170, provided that:

"(1) Development.—The Secretary is authorized to develop a national bicycle safety education curriculum that may include courses relating to on-road training.

"(2) Report.—Not later than 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act [June 9, 1998], the Secretary shall transmit to Congress a copy of the curriculum.

"(3) Funding.—From amounts made available under section 210 [probably should be section 206], the Secretary may use not to exceed $500,000 for fiscal year 1999 to carry out this subsection."

Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Grants

Pub. L. 105–178, title I, §1212(i), formerly §1212(o), June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 196; renumbered §1212(i), Pub. L. 105–206, title IX, §9003(e)(5), July 22, 1998, 112 Stat. 840, and amended by Pub. L. 108–88, §5(a)(8), Sept. 30, 2003, 117 Stat. 1114; Pub. L. 108–202, §5(a)(8), Feb. 29, 2004, 118 Stat. 481; Pub. L. 108–224, §4(a)(8), Apr. 30, 2004, 118 Stat. 629; Pub. L. 108–263, §4(a)(8), June 30, 2004, 118 Stat. 700; Pub. L. 108–280, §4(a)(8), July 30, 2004, 118 Stat. 879; Pub. L. 108–310, §5(a)(8), Sept. 30, 2004, 118 Stat. 1149; Pub. L. 109–14, §4(a)(8), May 31, 2005, 119 Stat. 326; Pub. L. 109–20, §4(a)(8), July 1, 2005, 119 Stat. 348; Pub. L. 109–35, §4(a)(8), July 20, 2005, 119 Stat. 381; Pub. L. 109–37, §4(a)(8), July 22, 2005, 119 Stat. 396; Pub. L. 109–40, §4(a)(8), July 28, 2005, 119 Stat. 412; Pub. L. 109–59, title I, §1111(b)(4), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1171, provided that:

"(1) In general.—The Secretary shall make grants to a national, not-for-profit organization engaged in promoting bicycle and pedestrian safety—

"(A) to operate a national bicycle and pedestrian clearinghouse;

"(B) to develop information and educational programs; and

"(C) to disseminate techniques and strategies for improving bicycle and pedestrian safety.

"(2) Authorization of appropriations.—There is authorized to be appropriated out of the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) to carry out this subsection $500,000 for each of fiscal years 1998 through 2004 and $415,000 for the period of October 1, 2004, through July 30, 2005.

"(3) Applicability of title 23.—Funds authorized by this subsection shall be available for obligation in the same manner as if such funds were apportioned under chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code, except that the funds shall remain available until expended."

Highway Safety Education and Information

Pub. L. 105–178, title II, §2001(f), June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 325, provided that:

"(1) In general.—For fiscal years 1999 and 2000, the Secretary shall allow any State to use funds apportioned to the State under section 402 of title 23, United States Code, to purchase television and radio time for highway safety public service messages.

"(2) Reports by states.—Any State that uses funds described in paragraph (1) for purchasing television and radio time for highway safety public service messages shall submit to the Secretary a report describing, and assessing the effectiveness of, the messages.

"(3) Study.—Based on information contained in the reports submitted under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall prepare and transmit to Congress a report on the effectiveness of purchasing television and radio time for highway safety public service messages using funds described in paragraph (1)."

Evaluation of Handicapped Parking System

Pub. L. 102–240, title I, §1088, Dec. 18, 1991, 105 Stat. 2022, directed Secretary to conduct a study on progress being made by States in adopting and implementing uniform system for handicapped parking established in regulations issued pursuant to Pub. L. 100–641 (102 Stat. 3335), set out below, and, not later than 2 years after Dec. 18, 1991, submit to Congress the results of the study.

Obligation Limitation

Pub. L. 102–240, title II, §2009(b), Dec. 18, 1991, 105 Stat. 2080, provided that: "If an obligation limitation is placed on sums authorized to be appropriated to carry out section 402 of title 23, United States Code, for fiscal year 1993 or subsequent fiscal years, any amounts made available out of such funds to carry out sections 2004 and 2006 of this Act [amending section 410 of this title and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 403 and 410 of this title] and section 211(b) of the National Driver Register Act of 1982 [Pub. L. 97–364, set out as a note under section 401 of this title] shall be reduced proportionally."

Handicapped Parking System

Pub. L. 100–641, §3, Nov. 9, 1988, 102 Stat. 3335, provided that:

"(a) Regulations.—Not later than the 180th day following the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 9, 1988], the Secretary of Transportation shall issue regulations—

"(1) which establish a uniform system for handicapped parking designed to enhance the safety of handicapped individuals, and

"(2) which encourage adoption of such system by all the States.

In issuing such regulations, the Secretary shall consult the States.

"(b) Definitions.—For purposes of this section—

"(1) Uniform system for handicapped parking.—A uniform system for handicapped parking designed to enhance the safety of handicapped individuals is a system which—

"(A) adopts the International Symbol of Access (as adopted by Rehabilitation International in 1969 at its 11th World Congress on Rehabilitation of the Disabled) as the only recognized symbol for the identification of vehicles used for transporting individuals with handicaps which limit or impair the ability to walk;

"(B) provides for the issuance of license plates displaying the International Symbol of Access for vehicles which will be used to transport individuals with handicaps which limit or impair the ability to walk, under criteria determined by the State;

"(C) provides for the issuance of removable windshield placards (displaying the International Symbol of Access) to individuals with handicaps which limit or impair the ability to walk, under criteria determined by the State;

"(D) provides that fees charged for the licensing or registration of a vehicle used to transport individuals with handicaps do not exceed fees charged for the licensing or registration of other similar vehicles operated in the State; and

"(E) for purposes of easy access parking, recognizes licenses and placards displaying the International Symbol of Access which have been issued by other States and countries.

"(2) State.—The term 'State' has the meaning such term has when used in chapter 4 of title 23, United States Code."

Parking for Handicapped Persons; Study and Report; Proposed Uniform State Law

Pub. L. 100–17, title I, §161, Apr. 2, 1987, 101 Stat. 212, provided that:

"(a) Study.—The Secretary shall conduct a study for the purpose of determining—

"(1) any problems encountered by handicapped persons in parking motor vehicles; and

"(2) whether or not each State should establish parking privileges for handicapped persons and grant to nonresidents of the State the same parking privileges as are granted to residents.

"(b) Report.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Apr. 2, 1987], the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Public Works and Transportation of the House of Representatives a report on the results of the study conducted under subsection (a).

"(c) Development of Proposed Uniform State Law.—

"(1) Requirement.—If the Secretary determines under subsection (a) that each State should establish parking privileges for handicapped persons and grant to nonresidents of the State the same parking privileges as are granted to residents, the Secretary shall develop a proposed uniform State law with respect to parking privileges for handicapped persons and submit a copy of the proposed uniform State law to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Public Works and Transportation of the House of Representatives and each State.

"(2) Factors to consider.—In developing the proposed uniform State law, the Secretary shall consult with the States and shall consider any advantages—

"(A) of ensuring that parking privileges for handicapped persons may be utilized whether a handicapped person is a passenger or a driver;

"(B) of the use of the international symbol of access as the exclusive symbol identifying parking zones for handicapped persons and identifying vehicles that may park in such parking zones;

"(C) of displaying the international symbol of access on license plates or license plate decals and on identification placards; and

"(D) of designing any identification placard so that the placard is easily visible when placed in the interior of any vehicle.

"(3) Report.—If a proposed uniform State law with respect to parking privileges for handicapped persons is developed and submitted to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Public Works and Transportation [now Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure] of the House of Representatives under paragraph (1), within 12 months after the date of such submission and each year thereafter, the Secretary shall report to such committees on the extent to which each State has adopted the proposed uniform State law."

[For termination, effective May 15, 2000, of provisions of law requiring submittal to Congress of any annual, semiannual, or other regular periodic report listed in House Document No. 103–7 (in which a report required under section 161(c)(3) of Pub. L. 100–17, set out above, is listed on page 133), see section 3003 of Pub. L. 104–66, as amended, set out as a note under section 1113 of Title 31, Money and Finance.]

Schoolbus Safety Measures; Study by National Academy of Sciences and Report; Publication of List of Most Effective Safety Measures in Federal Register; Schoolbus Safety Grant Program

Pub. L. 100–17, title II, §204, Apr. 2, 1987, 101 Stat. 219, provided that:

"(a) Study.—

"(1) National academy of sciences.—Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Apr. 2, 1987], the Secretary shall undertake to enter into appropriate arrangements with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a comprehensive study and investigation of the principal causes of fatalities and injuries to schoolchildren riding in schoolbuses and of the use of seatbelts in schoolbuses and other measures that may improve the safety of schoolbus transportation. The purpose of the study and investigation is to determine those safety measures that are the most effective in protecting the safety of schoolchildren while boarding, leaving, and riding in schoolbuses.

"(2) Report.—In entering into any arrangements with the National Academy of Sciences for conducting the study and investigation under this subsection, the Secretary shall request the National Academy of Sciences to submit, not later than 18 months after the date on which such arrangements are completed, to Congress and the Secretary a report on the results of such study and investigation. The report shall contain a list of those safety measures determined by the Academy to be most effective in protecting the safety of schoolchildren while boarding, leaving, and riding in schoolbuses.

"(3) Review of report.—Upon receipt of the report under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall review such report for the purpose of determining those safety measures that are the most effective in protecting the safety of schoolchildren while boarding, leaving, and riding in schoolbuses. Not later than 2 months after the date of receipt of such report, the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register a list of those safety measures which the Secretary determines are the most effective in protecting the safety of such children.

"(4) Information.—Upon request of the National Academy of Sciences, the Secretary shall furnish to the Academy any information which the Academy deems necessary for the purpose of conducting the study and investigation under this subsection.

"(b) Schoolbus Safety Grant Program.—

"(1) Set-aside.—Before apportioning any funds made available to carry out section 402 of title 23, United States Code, for each of fiscal years 1989, 1990, and 1991, the Secretary may set aside an amount not to exceed $5,000,000 for making grants to States to implement those schoolbus safety measures published by the Secretary under subsection (a).

"(2) Application.—Any State interested in receiving under this subsection a grant to implement schoolbus safety measures in fiscal year 1989, 1990, or 1991 shall submit to the Secretary an application for such grant. Applications under this subsection shall be submitted at such time and in such form and contain such information as the Secretary may require by regulation.

"(3) Limitation.—No State shall receive more than 30 percent of the funds set aside pursuant to this subsection for any fiscal year in grants under this subsection."

Special Parking Privileges for Handicapped Persons

Pub. L. 98–78, title III, §321, Aug. 15, 1983, 97 Stat. 473, provided that:

"(a) The Congress finds that—

"(1) in this Nation there exist millions of handicapped people with severe physical impairments including partial paralysis, limb amputation, chronic heart condition, emphysema, arthritis, rheumatism, and other debilitating conditions which greatly limit their personal mobility;

"(2) these people reside in each of the several States and have need and reason to travel from one State to another for business and recreational purposes;

"(3) each State maintains the right to establish and enforce its own code of regulations regarding the appropriate use of motor vehicles operating within its jurisdiction;

"(4) within a given State handicapped individuals are oftentimes granted special parking privileges to help offset the limitations imposed by their physical impairment;

"(5) these special parking privileges vary from State to State as do the methods and means of identifying vehicles used by disabled individuals, all of which serve to impede both the enforcement of special parking privileges and the handicapped individual's freedom to properly utilize such privileges;

"(6) there are many efforts currently underway to help alleviate these problems through public awareness and administrative change as encouraged by concerned individuals and national associations directly involved in matters relating to the issue of special parking privileges for disabled individuals; and

"(7) despite these efforts the fact remains that many States may need to give the matter legislative consideration to ensure a proper resolution of this issue, especially as it relates to law enforcement and placard responsibility.

"(b) The Congress encourages each of the several States working through the National Governors Conference to—

"(1) adopt the International Symbol of Access as the only recognized and adopted symbol to be used to identify vehicles carrying those citizens with acknowledged physical impairments;

"(2) grant to vehicles displaying this symbol the special parking privileges which a State may provide; and

"(3) permit the International Symbol of Access to appear either on a specialized license plate, or on a specialized placard placed in the vehicles so as to be clearly visible through the front windshield, or on both such places.

"(c) It is the sense of the Congress that agreements of reciprocity relating to the special parking privileges granted handicapped individuals should be developed and entered into by and between the several States so as to—

"(1) facilitate the free and unencumbered use between the several States, of the special parking privileges afforded those people with acknowledged handicapped conditions, without regard to the State of residence of the handicapped person utilizing such privilege;

"(2) improve the ease of law enforcement in each State of its special parking privileges and to facilitate the handling of violators; and

"(3) ensure that motor vehicles carrying individuals with acknowledged handicapped conditions be given fair and predictable treatment throughout the Nation.

"(d) As used in this section the term 'State' means the several States and the District of Columbia.

"(e) The Secretary of Transportation shall provide a copy of this section to the Governor of each State and the Mayor of the District of Columbia."

Motorcycle Helmet Study

Pub. L. 95–599, title II, §210, Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2733, provided that the Secretary of Transportation make a full and complete study of the effects of the provision contained in the eighth sentence of subsec. (c) of this section and that the Secretary report the results of such study to Congress not later than one year after Nov. 6, 1978.

Study of Methods of Encouraging Use of Safety Belts in Automobiles

Pub. L. 95–599, title II, §214, Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2734, provided that the Secretary of Transportation undertake to enter into arrangements with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study and investigation of methods of encouraging the use of safety belts by drivers of, and passengers in, motor vehicles and that the National Academy of Sciences report to the Secretary and the Congress not later than one year after Nov. 6, 1978, on the results of such study.

Evaluation of Safety Standards; Report to Congress

Pub. L. 94–280, title II, §208(b), May 5, 1976, 90 Stat. 454, provided that the Secretary of Transportation would, in cooperation with the States, conduct an evaluation of the adequacy and appropriateness of all uniform safety standards established under this section in effect on May 5, 1976, and report the findings, together with recommendations, to Congress on or before July 1, 1977.

Report to Congress by July 1, 1967, on Initial Standards

Pub. L. 89–564, title II, §203, Sept. 9, 1966, 80 Stat. 736, required the Secretary of Commerce to report to Congress by July 1, 1967, all standards to be initially applied in carrying out section 402 of this title.

Authorization of Appropriations

Pub. L. 89–564, title I, §104, Sept. 9, 1966, 80 Stat. 735, authorized the appropriation of $67,000,000, $100,000,000, and $100,000,000 for the fiscal years ending June 30, 1967, 1968, and 1969, respectively, to carry out this section.

Study of Relationship Between Consumption of Alcohol and Highway Safety

Pub. L. 89–564, title II, §204, Sept. 9, 1966, 80 Stat. 736, as amended by Pub. L. 97–449, §2(a), Jan. 12, 1983, 96 Stat. 2439, directed the Secretary to make a thorough and complete study of the relationship between the consumption of alcohol and its effect upon highway safety and drivers of motor vehicles, in consultation with such other government and private agencies as may be necessary. Such study shall cover review and evaluation of State and local laws and enforcement methods and procedures relating to driving under the influence of alcohol, State and local programs for the treatment of alcoholism, and such other aspects of this overall problem as may be useful. The results of this study were required to be reported to the Congress by the Secretary on or before July 1, 1967, with recommendations for legislation if warranted.

Executive Documents

Ex. Ord. No. 13043. Increasing Seat Belt Use in the United States

Ex. Ord. No. 13043, Apr. 16, 1997, 62 F.R. 19217, as amended by Ex. Ord. No. 13652, §5, Sept. 30, 2013, 78 F.R. 61818, provided:

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the Highway Safety Act of 1966, 23 U.S.C. 402 and 403, as amended, section 7902(c) of title 5, United States Code, and section 19 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, 29 U.S.C. 668, as amended, and in order to require that Federal employees use seat belts while on official business; to require that motor vehicle occupants use seat belts in national park areas and on Department of Defense ("Defense") installations; to encourage Tribal Governments to adopt and enforce seat belt policies and programs for occupants of motor vehicles traveling on highways in Indian Country; and to encourage Federal contractors, subcontractors, and grantees to adopt and enforce on-the-job seat belt use policies and programs, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. Policies. (a) Seat Belt Use by Federal Employees. Each Federal employee occupying any seating position of a motor vehicle on official business, whose seat is equipped with a seat belt, shall have the seat belt properly fastened at all times when the vehicle is in motion.

(b) Seat Belt Use in National Parks and on Defense Installations. Each operator and passenger occupying any seating position of a motor vehicle in a national park area or on a Defense installation, whose seat is equipped with a seat belt or child restraint system, shall have the seat belt or child restraint system properly fastened, as required by law, at all times when the vehicle is in motion.

(c) Seat Belt Use by Government Contractors, Subcontractors and Grantees. Each Federal agency, in contracts, subcontracts, and grants entered into after the date of this order, shall seek to encourage contractors, subcontractors, and grantees to adopt and enforce on-the-job seat belt policies and programs for their employees when operating company-owned, rented, or personally owned vehicles.

(d) Tribal Governments. Tribal Governments are encouraged to adopt and enforce seat belt policies and programs for occupants of motor vehicles traveling on highways in Indian Country that are subject to their jurisdiction.

Sec. 2. Scope of Order. All agencies of the executive branch are directed to promulgate rules and take other appropriate measures within their existing programs to further the policies of this order. This includes, but is not limited to, conducting education, awareness, and other appropriate programs for Federal employees about the importance of wearing seat belts and the consequences of not wearing them. It also includes encouraging Federal contractors, subcontractors, and grantees to conduct such programs. In addition, the National Park Service and the Department of Defense are directed to initiate rulemaking to consider regulatory changes with respect to enhanced seat belt use requirements and standard (primary) enforcement of such requirements in national park areas and on Defense installations, consistent with the policies outlined in this order, and to widely publicize and actively enforce such regulations. The term "agency" as used in this order means an Executive department, as defined in 5 U.S.C. 101, or any employing unit or authority of the Federal Government, other than those of the legislative and judicial branches.

Sec. 3. Coordination. The Secretary of Transportation shall provide leadership and guidance to the heads of executive branch agencies to assist them with the employee seat belt programs established pursuant to this order. The Secretary of Transportation shall also cooperate and consult with the legislative and judicial branches of the Government to encourage and help them to adopt seat belt use programs.

Sec. 4. Other Powers and Duties. Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or alter the powers and duties of the heads of the various Federal agencies pursuant to the Highway Safety Act of 1966, 23 U.S.C. 402 and 403, as amended, section 19 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, 29 U.S.C. 668, as amended, or sections 7901, 7902, and 7903 of title 5, United States Code, nor shall it be construed to affect any right, duty, or procedure under the National Labor Relations Act, 29 U.S.C. 151 et seq.

Sec. 5. General Provisions. (a) Executive Order 12566 of September 26, 1986, is revoked. To the extent that this order is inconsistent with any provisions of any prior Executive order, this order shall control.

(b) If any provision of this order or application of any such provision is held to be invalid, the remainder of this order and other applications of such provision shall not be affected.

(c) Nothing in this order shall be construed to create a new cause of action against the United States, or to alter in any way the United States liability under the Federal Tort Claims Act, 28 U.S.C. 2671-2680.

(d) The Secretary of Defense shall implement the provisions of this order insofar as practicable for vehicles of the Department of Defense.

(e) The Secretary of the Treasury and the Attorney General, consistent with their protective and law enforcement responsibilities, shall determine the extent to which the requirements of this order apply to the protective and law enforcement activities of their respective agencies.

Ex. Ord. No. 13513. Federal Leadership On Reducing Text Messaging While Driving

Ex. Ord. No. 13513, Oct. 1, 2009, 74 F.R. 51225, provided:

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 7902(c) of title 5, United States Code, and the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949, as amended, 40 U.S.C. 101 et seq. [see Short Title of 1949 Act note set out under section 101 of Title 41, Public Contracts], and in order to demonstrate Federal leadership in improving safety on our roads and highways and to enhance the efficiency of Federal contracting, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. Policy. With nearly 3 million civilian employees, the Federal Government can and should demonstrate leadership in reducing the dangers of text messaging while driving. Recent deadly crashes involving drivers distracted by text messaging while behind the wheel highlight a growing danger on our roads. Text messaging causes drivers to take their eyes off the road and at least one hand off the steering wheel, endangering both themselves and others. Every day, Federal employees drive Government-owned, Government-leased, or Government-rented vehicles (collectively, GOV) or privately-owned vehicles (POV) on official Government business, and some Federal employees use Government-supplied electronic devices to text or e-mail while driving. A Federal Government-wide prohibition on the use of text messaging while driving on official business or while using Government-supplied equipment will help save lives, reduce injuries, and set an example for State and local governments, private employers, and individual drivers. Extending this policy to cover Federal contractors is designed to promote economy and efficiency in Federal procurement. Federal contractors and contractor employees who refrain from the unsafe practice of text messaging while driving in connection with Government business are less likely to experience disruptions to their operations that would adversely impact Federal procurement.

Sec. 2. Text Messaging While Driving by Federal Employees. Federal employees shall not engage in text messaging (a) when driving GOV, or when driving POV while on official Government business, or (b) when using electronic equipment supplied by the Government while driving.

Sec. 3. Scope of Order. (a) All agencies of the executive branch are directed to take appropriate action within the scope of their existing programs to further the policies of this order and to implement section 2 of this order. This includes, but is not limited to, considering new rules and programs, and reevaluating existing programs to prohibit text messaging while driving, and conducting education, awareness, and other outreach for Federal employees about the safety risks associated with texting while driving. These initiatives should encourage voluntary compliance with the agency's text messaging policy while off duty.

(b) Within 90 days of the date of this order, each agency is directed, consistent with all applicable laws and regulations: (i) to take appropriate measures to implement this order, (ii) to adopt measures to ensure compliance with section 2 of this order, including through appropriate disciplinary actions, and (iii) to notify the Secretary of Transportation of the measures it undertakes hereunder.

(c) Agency heads may exempt from the requirements of this order, in whole or in part, certain employees, devices, or vehicles in their respective agencies that are engaged in or used for protective, law enforcement, or national security responsibilities or on the basis of other emergency conditions.

Sec. 4. Text Messaging While Driving by Government Contractors, Subcontractors, and Recipients and Subrecipients. Each Federal agency, in procurement contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements, and other grants to the extent authorized by applicable statutory authority, entered into after the date of this order, shall encourage contractors, subcontractors, and recipients and subrecipients to adopt and enforce policies that ban text messaging while driving company-owned or -rented vehicles or GOV, or while driving POV when on official Government business or when performing any work for or on behalf of the Government. Agencies should also encourage Federal contractors, subcontractors, and grant recipients and subrecipients as described in this section to conduct initiatives of the type described in section 3(a) of this order.

Sec. 5. Coordination. The Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the Administrator of General Services and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, shall provide leadership and guidance to the heads of executive branch agencies to assist them with any action pursuant to this order.

Sec. 6. Definitions.

(a) The term "agency" as used in this order means an executive agency, as defined in 5 U.S.C. 105, except for the Government Accountability Office.

(b) "Texting" or "Text Messaging" means reading from or entering data into any handheld or other electronic device, including for the purpose of SMS texting, e-mailing, instant messaging, obtaining navigational information, or engaging in any other form of electronic data retrieval or electronic data communication.

(c) "Driving" means operating a motor vehicle on an active roadway with the motor running, including while temporarily stationary because of traffic, a traffic light or stop sign, or otherwise. It does not include operating a motor vehicle with or without the motor running when one has pulled over to the side of, or off, an active roadway and has halted in a location where one can safely remain stationary.

Sec. 7. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect or alter:

(i) Authority granted by law or Executive Order to an agency, or the head thereof;

(ii) Powers and duties of the heads of the various departments and agencies pursuant to the Highway Safety Act of 1966, as amended, 23 U.S.C. 402 and 403, section 19 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, as amended, 29 U.S.C. 668, sections 7901 and 7902 of title 5, United States Code, or the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949, as amended, 40 U.S.C. 101 et seq.;

(iii) Rights, duties, or procedures under the National Labor Relations Act, 29 U.S.C. 151 et seq.; or

(iv) Functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity, by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

Barack Obama.      

§403. Highway safety research and development

(a) Defined Term.—In this section, the term "Federal laboratory" includes—

(1) a government-owned, government-operated laboratory; and

(2) a government-owned, contractor-operated laboratory.

(b) General Authority.—

(1) Research and development activities.—The Secretary may conduct research and development activities, including demonstration projects, training, education, and the collection and analysis of highway and motor vehicle safety data and related information needed to carry out this section, with respect to—

(A) all aspects of highway and traffic safety systems and conditions relating to—

(i) vehicle, highway, driver, passenger, motorcyclist, bicyclist, and pedestrian characteristics;

(ii) crash causation and investigations;

(iii) communications; and

(iv) emergency medical services, including the transportation of the injured;

(B) human behavioral factors and their effect on highway and traffic safety, including—

(i) driver education;

(ii) impaired driving; and

(iii) distracted driving;

(C) an evaluation of the effectiveness of countermeasures to increase highway and traffic safety, including occupant protection and alcohol- and drug-impaired driving technologies and initiatives;

(D) the development of technologies to detect drug impaired drivers;

(E) research on, evaluations of, and identification of best practices related to driver education programs (including driver education curricula, instructor training and certification, program administration, and delivery mechanisms) and make recommendations for harmonizing driver education and multistage graduated licensing systems; and

(F) the effect of State laws on any aspects, activities, or programs described in subparagraphs (A) through (E).

(2) Cooperation, grants, and contracts.—The Secretary may carry out this section—

(A) independently;

(B) in cooperation with other Federal departments, agencies, and instrumentalities and Federal laboratories;

(C) by entering into contracts, cooperative agreements, and other transactions with the National Academy of Sciences, any Federal laboratory, State or local agency, authority, association, institution, foreign government (in coordination with the Department of State) or person (as defined in chapter 1 of title 1); or

(D) by making grants to the National Academy of Sciences, any Federal laboratory, State or local agency, authority, association, institution, or person (as defined in chapter 1 of title 1).

(c) Collaborative Research and Development.—

(1) In general.—To encourage innovative solutions to highway safety problems, stimulate voluntary improvements in highway safety, and stimulate the marketing of new highway safety related technology by private industry, the Secretary is authorized to carry out, on a cost-shared basis, collaborative research and development with—

(A) non-Federal entities, including State and local governments, foreign governments, colleges, universities, corporations, partnerships, sole proprietorships, organizations, and trade associations that are incorporated or established under the laws of any State or the United States; and

(B) Federal laboratories.

(2) Agreements.—In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary may enter into cooperative research and development agreements (as defined in section 12 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3710a)) in which the Secretary provides not more than 50 percent of the cost of any research or development project under this subsection.

(3) Use of technology.—The research, development, or use of any technology pursuant to an agreement under this subsection, including the terms under which technology may be licensed and the resulting royalties may be distributed, shall be subject to the provisions of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3701 et seq.).

(d) Title to Equipment.—In furtherance of the purposes set forth in section 402, the Secretary may vest title to equipment purchased for demonstration projects with funds authorized under this section to State or local agencies on such terms and conditions as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.

(e) Prohibition on Certain Disclosures.—Any report of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or of any officer, employee, or contractor of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, relating to any highway traffic crash or the investigation of such crash conducted pursuant to this chapter or chapter 301 of title 49 may only be made available to the public in a manner that does not identify individuals.

(f) Cooperative Research and Evaluation.—

(1) Establishment and funding.—Notwithstanding the apportionment formula set forth in section 402(c)(2), $3,500,000 of the total amount available for apportionment to the States for highway safety programs under section 402(c) in each fiscal year shall be available for expenditure by the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, for a cooperative research and evaluation program to research and evaluate priority highway safety countermeasures.

(2) Administration.—The program established under paragraph (1)—

(A) shall be administered by the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; and

(B) shall be jointly managed by the Governors Highway Safety Association and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

(g) International Cooperation.—The Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration may participate and cooperate in international activities to enhance highway safety.

(h) In-vehicle Alcohol Detection Device Research.—

(1) Definitions.—In this subsection:

(A) Alcohol-impaired driving.—The term "alcohol-impaired driving" means the operation of a motor vehicle (as defined in section 30102(a) of title 49) by an individual whose blood alcohol content is at or above the legal limit.

(B) Legal limit.—The term "legal limit" means a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or greater (as set forth in section 163(a)) or such other percentage limitation as may be established by applicable Federal, State, or local law.

(2) In general.—The Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shall carry out a collaborative research effort under chapter 301 of title 49 on in-vehicle technology to prevent alcohol-impaired driving.

(3) Funding.—The Secretary shall obligate from funds made available to carry out this section for the period covering fiscal years 2022 through 2025, not more than $45,000,000 to conduct the research described in paragraph (2).

(4) Privacy protection.—The Administrator shall not develop requirements for any device or means of technology to be installed in an automobile intended for retail sale that records a driver's blood alcohol concentration.

(5) Reports.—The Administrator shall submit an annual report to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, and Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives that—

(A) describes the progress made in carrying out the collaborative research effort; and

(B) includes an accounting for the use of Federal funds obligated or expended in carrying out that effort.

(i) Limitation on Drug and Alcohol Survey Data.—The Secretary shall establish procedures and guidelines to ensure that any person participating in a program or activity that collects data on drug or alcohol use by drivers of motor vehicles and is carried out under this section is informed that the program or activity is voluntary.

(j) Federal Share.—The Federal share of the cost of any project or activity carried out under this section may be not more than 100 percent.

(k) Child Safety Campaign.—

(1) In general.—The Secretary shall carry out an education campaign to reduce the incidence of vehicular heatstroke of children left in passenger motor vehicles (as defined in section 30102(a) of title 49).

(2) Advertising.—The Secretary may use, or authorize the use of, funds made available to carry out this section to pay for the development, production, and use of broadcast and print media advertising and Internet-based outreach for the education campaign under paragraph (1).

(3) Coordination.—In carrying out the education campaign under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall coordinate with—

(A) interested State and local governments;

(B) private industry; and

(C) other parties, as determined by the Secretary.

(l) Development of State Processes for Informing Consumers of Recalls.—

(1) Definitions.—In this subsection:

(A) Motor vehicle.—The term "motor vehicle" has the meaning given the term in section 30102(a) of title 49.

(B) Open recall.—The term "open recall" means a motor vehicle recall—

(i) for which a notification by a manufacturer has been provided under section 30119 of title 49; and

(ii) that has not been remedied under section 30120 of that title.

(C) Program.—The term "program" means the program established under paragraph (2)(A).

(D) Registration.—The term "registration" means the process for registering a motor vehicle in a State (including registration renewal).

(E) State.—The term "State" has the meaning given the term in section 101(a).

(2) Grants.—

(A) Establishment of program.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall establish a program under which the Secretary shall provide grants to States for use in developing and implementing State processes for informing each applicable owner and lessee of a motor vehicle of any open recall on the motor vehicle at the time of registration of the motor vehicle in the State, in accordance with this paragraph.

(B) Eligibility.—To be eligible to receive a grant under the program, a State shall—

(i) submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require; and

(ii) agree—

(I) to notify each owner or lessee of a motor vehicle presented for registration in the State of any open recall on that motor vehicle; and

(II) to provide to each owner or lessee of a motor vehicle presented for registration, at no cost—

(aa) the open recall information for the motor vehicle; and

(bb) such other information as the Secretary may require.

(C) Factors for consideration.—In selecting grant recipients under the program, the Secretary shall take into consideration the methodology of a State for—

(i) identifying open recalls on a motor vehicle;

(ii) informing each owner and lessee of a motor vehicle of an open recall; and

(iii) measuring performance in—

(I) informing owners and lessees of open recalls; and

(II) remedying open recalls.

(D) Performance period.—A grant provided under the program shall require a performance period of 2 years.

(E) Report.—Not later than 90 days after the date of completion of the performance period under subparagraph (D), each State that receives a grant under the program shall submit to the Secretary a report that contains such information as the Secretary considers to be necessary to evaluate the extent to which open recalls have been remedied in the State.

(F) No regulations required.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary shall not be required to issue any regulations to carry out the program.

(3) Paperwork reduction act.—Chapter 35 of title 44 (commonly known as the "Paperwork Reduction Act") shall not apply to information collected under the program.

(4) Funding.—

(A) In general.—For each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026, the Secretary shall obligate from funds made available to carry out this section $1,500,000 to carry out the program.

(B) Reallocation.—To ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that all amounts described in subparagraph (A) are obligated each fiscal year, the Secretary, before the last day of any fiscal year, may reallocate any of those amounts remaining available to increase the amounts made available to carry out any other activities authorized under this section.

(m) Innovative Highway Safety Countermeasures.—

(1) In general.—In conducting research under this section, the Secretary shall evaluate the effectiveness of innovative behavioral traffic safety countermeasures, other than traffic enforcement, that are considered promising or likely to be effective for the purpose of enriching revisions to the document entitled "Countermeasures That Work: A Highway Safety Countermeasure Guide for State Highway Safety Offices, Ninth Edition" and numbered DOT HS 812 478 (or any successor document).

(2) Treatment.—The research described in paragraph (1) shall be in addition to any other research carried out under this section.

(Added Pub. L. 89–564, title I, §101, Sept. 9, 1966, 80 Stat. 733; amended Pub. L. 93–87, title II, §§208(a), 220–222, 226(a), Aug. 13, 1973, 87 Stat. 286, 291, 292; Pub. L. 102–240, title II, §2003, Dec. 18, 1991, 105 Stat. 2071; Pub. L. 105–178, title II, §2002(a), (b)(1), June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 325; Pub. L. 109–59, title II, §§2003(a), (b), 2013(e), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1522, 1540; Pub. L. 112–141, div. C, title I, §31103, July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 739; Pub. L. 113–159, title I, §1101(b), Aug. 8, 2014, 128 Stat. 1843; Pub. L. 114–21, title I, §1101(b), May 29, 2015, 129 Stat. 221; Pub. L. 114–41, title I, §1101(b), July 31, 2015, 129 Stat. 448; Pub. L. 114–73, title I, §1101(b), Oct. 29, 2015, 129 Stat. 571; Pub. L. 114–87, title I, §1101(b), Nov. 20, 2015, 129 Stat. 680; Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title IV, §§4003, 4014(2), div. B, title XXIV, §24202(b), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1500, 1513, 1712; Pub. L. 116–159, div. B, title I, §1103, Oct. 1, 2020, 134 Stat. 726; Pub. L. 117–58, div. B, title IV, §24103, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 792.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980, referred to in subsec. (c)(3), is Pub. L. 96–480, Oct. 21, 1980, 94 Stat. 2311, which is classified generally to chapter 63 (§3701 et seq.) of Title 15, Commerce and Trade. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 3701 of Title 15 and Tables.

The date of enactment of this subsection, referred to in subsec. (l)(2)(A), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 117–58, which was approved Nov. 15, 2021.

Amendments

2021—Pub. L. 117–58, §24103(1), substituted "crash" for "accident" wherever appearing.

Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 117–58, §24103(2), inserted ", training, education," after "demonstration projects" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (f)(1). Pub. L. 117–58, §24103(3), substituted "$3,500,000" for "$2,500,000" and "section 402(c) in each fiscal year" for "subsection 402(c) in each fiscal year ending before October 1, 2015, and $443,989 of the total amount available for apportionment to the States for highway safety programs under section 402(c) in the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on December 4, 2015,".

Subsec. (h)(1). Pub. L. 117–58, §24103(4)(C), redesignated par. (5) as (1). Former par. (1) redesignated (2).

Subsec. (h)(2). Pub. L. 117–58, §24103(4)(C), redesignated par. (1) as (2). Former par. (2) redesignated (3).

Pub. L. 117–58, §24103(4)(A), substituted "2022 through 2025, not more than $45,000,000 to conduct the research described in paragraph (2)" for "2017 through 2021 not more than $26,560,000 to conduct the research described in paragraph (1)".

Subsec. (h)(3) to (5). Pub. L. 117–58, §24103(4)(C), redesignated pars. (2) to (4) as (3) to (5), respectively.

Subsec. (h)(5)(A). Pub. L. 117–58, §24103(4)(B), substituted "section 30102(a)" for "section 30102(a)(6)".

Subsecs. (k) to (m). Pub. L. 117–58, §24103(5), added subsecs. (k) to (m).

2020—Subsec. (h)(2). Pub. L. 116–159 substituted "2021" for "2020" and "$26,560,000" for "$21,248,000".

2015—Subsec. (b)(2)(C). Pub. L. 114–94, §24202(b)(1), inserted "foreign government (in coordination with the Department of State)" after "institution,".

Subsec. (c)(1)(A). Pub. L. 114–94, §24202(b)(2), inserted "foreign governments," after "local governments,".

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 114–94, §4014(2), substituted "chapter 301 of title 49" for "chapter 301".

Subsec. (f)(1). Pub. L. 114–87 substituted "and $443,989 of the total amount available for apportionment to the States for highway safety programs under section 402(c) in the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on December 4, 2015," for "and $348,361 of the total amount available for apportionment to the States for highway safety programs under section 402(c) in the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on November 20, 2015,".

Pub. L. 114–73 substituted "and $348,361 of the total amount available for apportionment to the States for highway safety programs under section 402(c) in the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on November 20, 2015," for "and $198,087 of the total amount available for apportionment to the States for highway safety programs under section 402(c) in the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on October 29, 2015,".

Pub. L. 114–41 substituted "each fiscal year ending before October 1, 2015, and $198,087 of the total amount available for apportionment to the States for highway safety programs under section 402(c) in the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on October 29, 2015," for "each fiscal year ending before October 1, 2014, and $2,082,192 of the total amount available for apportionment to the States for highway safety programs under section 402(c) in the period beginning on October 1, 2014, and ending on July 31, 2015,".

Pub. L. 114–21 substituted "and $2,082,192 of the total amount available for apportionment to the States for highway safety programs under section 402(c) in the period beginning on October 1, 2014, and ending on July 31, 2015," for "and $1,664,384 of the total amount available for apportionment to the States for highway safety programs under section 402(c) in the period beginning on October 1, 2014, and ending on May 31, 2015,".

Subsec. (h)(1). Pub. L. 114–94, §4003(1)(A), substituted "shall carry" for "may carry".

Subsec. (h)(2). Pub. L. 114–94, §4003(1)(B), added par. (2) and struck out former par. (2). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "Funds provided under section 405 may be made to be used by the Secretary to conduct the research described in paragraph (1)."

Subsec. (h)(3). Pub. L. 114–94, §4003(1)(C), substituted "The" for "If the Administrator utilizes the authority under paragraph (1), the".

Subsec. (h)(4). Pub. L. 114–94, §4003(1)(D), substituted "The" for "If the Administrator conducts the research authorized under paragraph (1), the".

Subsecs. (i), (j). Pub. L. 114–94, §4003(2), added subsecs. (i) and (j).

2014—Subsec. (f)(1). Pub. L. 113–159 inserted "ending before October 1, 2014, and $1,664,384 of the total amount available for apportionment to the States for highway safety programs under section 402(c) in the period beginning on October 1, 2014, and ending on May 31, 2015," after "each fiscal year".

2012—Subsecs. (a) to (f). Pub. L. 112–141, §31103(1), added subsecs. (a) to (f) and struck out former subsecs. (a) to (f) which related to authority of the Secretary generally, drugs and driver behavior, authority of Secretary to conduct research through grants and contracts with public and private agencies, institutions, and individuals, authority of Secretary to vest title to equipment purchased for demonstration projects in State and local agencies, authority of Secretary relating to projects to demonstrate the administrative adjudication of traffic infractions, and collaborative research and development, respectively.

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 112–141, §31103(2), added subsec. (h).

2005—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 109–59, §2003(a), reenacted heading without change and amended text of subsec. (a) generally, substituting provisions relating to authority of Secretary to use funds for highway safety research programs for former provisions which related to, in par. (1), general authority of Secretary, in par. (2), additional authority of Secretary, and, in par. (3), definition of "safety".

Subsec. (b)(5), (6). Pub. L. 109–59, §2013(e), added pars. (5) and (6).

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 109–59, §2003(b), added subsec. (g).

1998—Subsec. (a)(2)(A). Pub. L. 105–178, §2002(a), inserted ", including training in work zone safety management" after "personnel".

Subsec. (b)(3), (4). Pub. L. 105–178, §2002(b)(1), added pars. (3) and (4).

1991—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 102–240, §2003(a), added subsec. (a) and struck out former subsec. (a) which read as follows: "The Secretary is authorized to use funds appropriated to carry out this subsection to carry out safety research which he is authorized to conduct by subsection (a) of section 307 of this title. In addition, the Secretary may use the funds appropriated to carry out this section, either independently or in cooperation with other Federal departments or agencies, for making grants to or contracting with State or local agencies, institutions, and individuals for (1) training or education of highway safety personnel, (2) research fellowships in highway safety, (3) development of improved accident investigation procedures, (4) emergency service plans, (5) demonstration projects, and (6) related activities which the Secretary deems will promote the purposes of this section. The Secretary shall assure that no fees are charged for any meetings or services attendant thereto or other activities relating to training and education of highway safety personnel."

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 102–240, §2003(a), added subsec. (b) and struck out former subsec. (b) which read as follows: "In addition to the research authorized by subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary, in consultation with such other Government and private agencies as may be necessary, is authorized to carry out safety research on the following:

"(1) The relationship between the consumption and use of drugs and their effect upon highway safety and drivers of motor vehicles; and

"(2) Driver behavior research, including the characteristics of driver performance, the relationships of mental and physical abilities or disabilities to the driving task, and the relationship of frequency of driver accident involvement to highway safety."

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 102–240, §2003(c), substituted "subsections (a) and (b)" for "subsection (b)".

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 102–240, §2003(b), added subsec. (f) and struck out former subsec. (f) which read as follows: "In addition to the research authorized by subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary shall carry out research, development, and demonstration projects to improve and evaluate the effectiveness of various types of driver education programs in reducing traffic accidents and deaths, injuries, and property damage resulting therefrom. The research, development, and demonstration projects authorized by this subsection may be carried out by the Secretary through grants and contracts with public and private agencies, institutions, and individuals. The Secretary shall report to the Congress by July 1, 1975, and each year thereafter during the continuance of the program, on the research, development, and demonstration projects authorized by this subsection, and shall include in such report an evaluation of the effectiveness of driver education programs in reducing traffic accidents and deaths, injuries, and property damage resulting therefrom."

1973—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 93–87, §§208(a), 220, designated existing provisions as subsec. (a); substituted in first sentence "this subsection" for "this section"; substituted in second sentence "for making grants to or contracting with State or local agencies, institutions, and individuals for (1) training or education of highway safety personnel" for "for (1) grants to State or local agencies, institutions, and individuals for training or education of highway safety personnel" and "(6) related activities which the Secretary deems will promote the purposes of this section" for (6) related activities which are deemed by the Secretary to be necessary to carry out the purposes of this section"; and inserted requirement that the Secretary assure that no fees be charged for any meeting or services attendant thereto or other activities relating to training and education of highway safety personnel.

Subsecs. (b), (c). Pub. L. 93–87, §208(a), added subsecs. (b) and (c).

Subsecs. (d) to (f). Pub. L. 93–87, §§221, 222, 226(a), added subsecs. (d) to (f).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2015 Amendment

Amendment by div. A of Pub. L. 114–94 effective Oct. 1, 2015, see section 1003 of Pub. L. 114–94, set out as a note under section 5313 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

Effective Date of 2012 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 112–141 effective Oct. 1, 2012, see section 3(a) of Pub. L. 112–141, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 2012 Amendment note under section 101 of this title.

Effective Date of 2005 Amendment

Amendment by section 2003(a), (b) of Pub. L. 109–59 effective Oct. 1, 2005, see section 2022 of Pub. L. 109–59, set out as a note under section 402 of this title.

Effective Date of 1991 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 102–240, except as otherwise provided, effective Dec. 18, 1991, and applicable to funds authorized to be appropriated or made available after Sept. 30, 1991, and not applicable to funds appropriated or made available on or before Dec. 18, 1991, see section 2008 of Pub. L. 102–240, set out as a note under section 402 of this title.

Termination of Reporting Requirements

For termination, effective May 15, 2000, of provisions of law requiring submittal to Congress of any annual, semiannual, or other regular periodic report listed in House Document No. 103–7 (in which a report required under subsec. (e) of this section is listed on page 134), see section 3003 of Pub. L. 104–66, as amended, set out as a note under section 1113 of Title 31, Money and Finance.

Research on Distracted, Inattentive, and Fatigued Drivers

Pub. L. 109–59, title II, §2003(d), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1523, provided that: "In conducting research under section 403(a)(3) of title 23, United States Code, the Secretary [of Transportation] shall carry out not less than 2 demonstration projects to evaluate new and innovative means of combating traffic system problems caused by distracted, inattentive, or fatigued drivers. The demonstration projects shall be in addition to any other research carried out under such section."

Drug-Impaired Driving Enforcement

Pub. L. 109–59, title II, §2013, Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1539, as amended by Pub. L. 111–147, title IV, §421(m), Mar. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 86; Pub. L. 112–30, title I, §121(m), Sept. 16, 2011, 125 Stat. 348, related to agency coordination and research on drug-impaired driving enforcement, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 112–141, div. C, title I, §31109(i), July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 757.

Safety Studies

Pub. L. 105–178, title II, §2007, June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 336, directed the Secretary to study the benefit to public safety of the use of blowout resistant tires on commercial motor vehicles and to study occupant safety in school buses, and to transmit to Congress a report on the results of each study not later than 2 years after June 9, 1998.

School Transportation Safety

Pub. L. 105–178, title IV, §4030, June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 418, provided that:

"(a) Study.—Not later than 3 months after the date of enactment of this Act [June 9, 1998], the Secretary shall offer to enter into an agreement with the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences to conduct, subject to the availability of appropriations, a study of the safety issues attendant to the transportation of school children to and from school and school-related activities by various transportation modes.

"(b) Terms of Agreement.—The agreement under subsection (a) shall provide that—

"(1) the Transportation Research Board, in conducting the study, shall consider—

"(A) in consultation with the National Transportation Safety Board, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, and other relevant entities, available crash injury data;

"(B) vehicle design and driver training requirements, routing, and operational factors that affect safety; and

"(C) other factors that the Secretary considers to be appropriate;

"(2) if the data referred to in paragraph (1)(A) is unavailable or insufficient, the Transportation Research Board shall recommend a new data collection regimen and implementation guidelines; and

"(3) a panel shall conduct the study and shall include—

"(A) representatives of—

"(i) highway safety organizations;

"(ii) school transportation;

"(iii) mass transportation operators;

"(iv) employee organizations; and

"(v) bicycling organizations;

"(B) academic and policy analysts; and

"(C) other interested parties.

"(c) Report.—Not later than 12 months after the Secretary enters into an agreement under subsection (a), the Secretary shall transmit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report that contains the results of the study.

"(d) Authorization.—There are authorized to be appropriated to the Department of Transportation to carry out this section $200,000 for fiscal year 2000 and $200,000 for fiscal year 2001. Such sums shall remain available until expended."

Drug Recognition Expert Training Program

Pub. L. 102–240, title II, §2006, Dec. 18, 1991, 105 Stat. 2079, provided that:

"(a) Establishment.—The Secretary, acting through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, shall establish a regional program for implementation of drug recognition programs and for training law enforcement officers (including enforcement officials under the motor carrier safety assistance program) to recognize and identify individuals who are operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or one or more controlled substances or other drugs.

"(b) Advisory Committee.—The Secretary shall establish a citizens advisory committee that shall report to Congress annually on the progress of the implementation of subsection (a). Members of the committee shall include 1 member of each of the following: Mothers Against Drunk Driving; a narcotics control organization; American Medical Association; American Bar Association; and such other organizations as the Secretary deems appropriate. The committee shall be subject to the provisions of the [Federal] Advisory Committee Act [see 5 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.] and shall terminate 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 18, 1991].

"(c) Authorization of Appropriations.—There is authorized to be appropriated out of the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) to carry out this section $4,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1992 through 1997.

"(d) Definition.—For purposes of this section, the term 'controlled substance' means any controlled substance, as defined under section 102(6) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802(6)), whose use the Secretary has determined poses a risk to transportation safety."

Pilot Program for Drug Recognition Expert Training

Pub. L. 100–690, title IX, §9004, Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4525, provided that the Secretary of Transportation, acting through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, would establish a 3-year pilot, regional program for training law enforcement officers to recognize and identify individuals operating motor vehicles while under the influence of alcohol or 1 or more controlled substances or other drugs, and not later than 1 year after the completion of the pilot program, transmit to Congress a report on the effectiveness of such program together with any recommendations.

Pilot Grant Program for Random Testing for Illegal Drug Use

Pub. L. 100–690, title IX, §9005, Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4526, provided that:

"(a) Establishment of Pilot Program.—The Secretary shall design, within 9 months after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 18, 1988], and implement, within 15 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, a pilot State grant program for the purpose of testing individuals described in subsection (e)(1) to determine whether such individuals have used, without lawful authorization, a controlled substance.

"(b) State Participation.—The Secretary shall solicit the participation of States from those States interested in participating in such a program not more than 4 States to participate in the program.

"(c) State Selection Process.—The Secretary shall ensure that the selection made pursuant to this section is representative of varying geographical and population characteristics of the Nation, and takes into consideration the historical geographical incidence of motor vehicle accidents involving loss of human life. In selecting the States for participation, the Secretary shall attempt to solicit States which meet the following criteria:

"(1) One of the States shall be a western State which is one of the 3 most populous States, with numerous large cities, with at least one city exceeding 7,000,000 people. The State should have a diverse demographic population with larger than average drug use according to reliable surveys.

"(2) One of the remaining States should be a southern State, one a northeastern State, and one a central State.

"(3) One of the remaining States should be mainly rural and among the least populous States.

"(4) One of the remaining States should have less than average drug use according to reliable surveys.

"(d) Length of Program.—The pilot program authorized by this section shall continue for a period of 1 year. The Secretary shall consider alternative methodologies for implementing a system of random testing of such individuals.

"(e) Requirements for State Participation.—

"(1) Persons to be tested.—Each State participating in the test program shall test for controlled substances in accordance with paragraph (2) individuals who—

"(A) are applicants seeking the privilege to drive, and

"(B) have never been issued a driver's license by any State.

"(2) Types of testing.—To deter drug use and promote highway safety, all individuals described in paragraph (1) shall be subject to random testing—

"(A) prior to issuance of driver's licenses, and

"(B) during the first year following the date of issuance of such licenses.

"(3) Denial of driving privileges.—Each State participating in the test program shall deny an individual driving privileges if drug testing required by paragraph (1) indicates that such individual has used illicit drugs, with such denial lasting for a period of at least 1 year following such test or subsequent confirmatory test.

"(4) Reinstitution of driving privileges.—The program described in paragraph (3) may allow for reinstitution of driving privileges after a period of 3 months if such reinstitution is accompanied by a requirement that the individual be available for a period of 9 months for drug testing on a regular basis. If any such test indicates that the individual has used illicit drugs, then driving privileges must be denied for 1 year following such test or confirmatory test.

"(f) Regulations.—The Secretary may issue regulations to assist States in implementing the programs described in subsection (e) and to grant temporary exceptions in appropriate circumstances.

"(g) Report.—Not later than 30 months after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 18, 1988], the Secretary shall prepare and transmit to Congress a comprehensive report setting forth the results of the pilot program conducted under this section. Such report shall include any recommendations of the Secretary concerning the desirability and implementation of a system for random testing of such operators of motor vehicles.

"(h) Authorization of Appropriations.—For purposes of carrying out this test program, there is authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 for fiscal year 1990.

"(i) Definitions.—For purposes of this section—

"(1) Controlled substance.—The term 'controlled substance' means any controlled substance as defined under section 102(6) of the Controlled Substance Act (21 U.S.C. 802(6)) whose use the Secretary has determined poses a risk to transportation safety.

"(2) Secretary.—The term 'Secretary' means the Secretary of Transportation.

"(3) State.—The term 'State' has the meaning such term has when used in chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code."

Drug and Highway Safety Study and Report

Pub. L. 99–570, title III, §3402, Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3207–102, directed Secretary of Transportation to conduct a study to determine relationship between usage of controlled substances and highway safety and, not later than one year after Oct. 27, 1986, submit to Congress a report on results of study.

National Driver Register Study

Pub. L. 95–599, title II, §204, Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2729, directed Secretary of Transportation to make a full and complete investigation and study of the need for, and, if necessary, ways and means to establish, a national driver register to assist States in electronically exchanging information regarding motor vehicle driving records of certain individuals, with Secretary to issue a final report to Congress not later than one year after Nov. 6, 1978.

Detection and Prevention of Marijuana and Other Drug Use by Operators of Motor Vehicles

Pub. L. 95–599, title II, §212, Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2734, directed Secretary to report to Congress not later than Dec. 31, 1979, concerning the progress of efforts to detect and prevent marijuana and drug use by motor vehicle operators, capabilities of law enforcement officials to detect the use of marijuana and drugs by motor vehicle operators, and a description of Federal and State projects undertaken into methods of detection and prevention.

Form and Use of Reports of Highway Traffic Accidents or Research Projects in Court; Availability to Public

Pub. L. 89–564, title I, §106, Sept. 9, 1966, 80 Stat. 735, as amended by Pub. L. 105–178, title V, §5119(f), June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 452, provided that: "All facts contained in any report of any Federal department or agency or any officer, employee, or agent thereof, relating to any highway traffic accident or the investigation thereof conducted pursuant to chapter 4 of title 23 of the United States Code shall be available for use in any civil, criminal, or other judicial proceeding arising out of such accident, and any such officer, employee, or agent may be required to testify in such proceedings as to the facts developed in such investigation. Any such report shall be made available to the public in a manner which does not identify individuals. All completed reports on research projects, demonstration projects, and other related activities conducted under section 403 and chapter 5 of title 23, United States Code, shall be made available to the public in a manner which does not identify individuals."

Appropriations Authorizations

Pub. L. 93–87, title II, §208(b), Aug. 13, 1973, 87 Stat. 286, provided that: "There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out the amendments made by this section [amending this section] by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, out of the Highway Trust Fund, the sum of $10,000,000 per fiscal year for each of the fiscal years ending June 30, 1974, June 30, 1975, and June 30, 1976."

Pub. L. 93–87, title II, §226(b), Aug. 13, 1973, 87 Stat. 292, provided that: "For the purpose of carrying out the amendment made by subsection (a) of this section [amending this section], there is authorized to be appropriated $10,000,000 out of the Highway Trust Fund."

Authorization of Additional Appropriations

Authorization of appropriation of additional sum of $10,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1967, $20,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1968, and $25,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1969, for the purpose of carrying out this section and section 307(a) of this title, see section 105 of Pub. L. 89–564, set out as a note under section 307 of this title.

§404. High-visibility enforcement program

(a) In General.—The Secretary shall establish and administer a program under which not less than 3 campaigns will be carried out in each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.

(b) Purpose.—The purpose of each campaign carried out under this section shall be to achieve outcomes related to not less than 1 of the following objectives:

(1) Reduce alcohol-impaired or drug-impaired operation of motor vehicles.

(2) Increase use of seatbelts by occupants of motor vehicles.

(c) Advertising.—The Secretary may use, or authorize the use of, funds available to carry out this section to pay for the development, production, and use of broadcast and print media advertising and Internet-based outreach in carrying out campaigns under this section. In allocating such funds, consideration shall be given to advertising directed at non-English speaking populations, including those who listen to, read, or watch nontraditional media.

(d) Coordination With States.—The Secretary shall coordinate with States in carrying out the campaigns under this section, including advertising funded under subsection (c), with consideration given to—

(1) relying on States to provide law enforcement resources for the campaigns out of funding made available under sections 402 and 405; and

(2) providing, out of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration resources, most of the means necessary for national advertising and education efforts associated with the campaigns.

(e) Use of Funds.—Funds made available to carry out this section may be used only for activities described in subsection (c).

(f) Definitions.—In this section, the following definitions apply:

(1) Campaign.—The term "campaign" means a high-visibility traffic safety law enforcement campaign.

(2) State.—The term "State" has the meaning given that term in section 401.

(Added Pub. L. 89–564, title I, §101, Sept. 9, 1966, 80 Stat. 733; amended Pub. L. 90–150, Nov. 24, 1967, 81 Stat. 507; Pub. L. 93–87, title II, §223, Aug. 13, 1973, 87 Stat. 292; Pub. L. 94–280, title II, §209, May 5, 1976, 90 Stat. 455; Pub. L. 109–59, title II, §2019, Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1543; Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title IV, §4004(a), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1500; Pub. L. 117–58, div. B, title IV, §24104, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 795.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2021—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 117–58 substituted "each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026" for "each of fiscal years 2016 through 2020".

2015—Pub. L. 114–94 amended section generally, substituting provisions relating to the high-visibility enforcement program for provisions relating to the National Highway Safety Advisory Committee.

2005—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 109–59 substituted "Transportation" for "Commerce".

1976—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 94–280 substituted provision for selection by the Secretary of the Chairman of the Committee from among the Committee members for prior provision making the Secretary or an officer of the Department appointed by him the Chairman of the Committee.

1973—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 93–87 added the National Highway Traffic Safety Administrator to the membership of the National Highway Safety Advisory Committee.

1967—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 90–150, §1(1), substituted "Department of Transportation" for "Department of Commerce", increased number of Committee appointees from twenty-nine to thirty-five, and provided for selection of members from representatives of national organizations of passenger car, bus, and truck owners.

Subsec. (a)(2)(A). Pub. L. 90–150, §1(2), substituted provisions for expirations of term of office of initial appointees one, two, and three years after date of appointment for twelve, twelve, and eleven members, respectively, for former provisions for such expiration one, two, and three years following enactment date of Sept. 9, 1966, for ten, ten, and nine members, respectively, and prohibited reappointment within one year after end of preceding term of member serving a three-year term of office.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2015 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 114–94 effective Oct. 1, 2015, see section 1003 of Pub. L. 114–94, set out as a note under section 5313 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

§405. National priority safety programs

(a) Program Authority.—

(1) In general.—Subject to the requirements of this section, the Secretary shall—

(A) manage programs to address national priorities for reducing highway deaths and injuries; and

(B) allocate funds for the purpose described in subparagraph (A) in accordance with this subsection.

(2) Occupant protection.—In each fiscal year, 13 percent of the funds provided under this section shall be allocated among States that adopt and implement effective occupant protection programs to reduce highway deaths and injuries resulting from individuals riding unrestrained or improperly restrained in motor vehicles (as described in subsection (b)).

(3) State traffic safety information system improvements.—In each fiscal year, 14.5 percent of the funds provided under this section shall be allocated among States that meet requirements with respect to State traffic safety information system improvements (as described in subsection (c)).

(4) Impaired driving countermeasures.—In each fiscal year, 53 percent of the funds provided under this section shall be allocated among States that meet requirements with respect to impaired driving countermeasures (as described in subsection (d)).

(5) Distracted driving.—In each fiscal year, 8.5 percent of the funds provided under this section shall be allocated among States that adopt and implement effective laws to reduce distracted driving (as described in subsection (e)).

(6) Motorcyclist safety.—In each fiscal year, 1.5 percent of the funds provided under this section shall be allocated among States that implement motorcyclist safety programs (as described in subsection (f)).

(7) Nonmotorized safety.—In each fiscal year, 7 percent of the funds provided under this section shall be allocated among States that meet requirements with respect to nonmotorized safety (as described in subsection (g)).

(8) Preventing roadside deaths.—In each fiscal year, 1 percent of the funds provided under this section shall be allocated among States that meet requirements with respect to preventing roadside deaths under subsection (h).

(9) Driver officer safety education.—In each fiscal year, 1.5 percent of the funds provided under this section shall be allocated among States that meet requirements with respect to driver and officer safety education under subsection (i).

(10) Transfers.—Notwithstanding paragraphs (2) through (9), the Secretary shall reallocate, before the last day of any fiscal year, any amounts remaining available to carry out any of the activities described in subsections (b) through (i) to increase the amount made available under section 402, in order to ensure, to the maximum extent possible, that all such amounts are obligated during such fiscal year.

(11) Political subdivisions.—A State may provide the funds awarded under this section to a political subdivision of the State or an Indian tribal government.

(b) Occupant Protection Grants.—

(1) General authority.—Subject to the requirements under this subsection, the Secretary shall award grants to States that adopt and implement effective occupant protection programs to reduce highway deaths and injuries resulting from individuals riding unrestrained or improperly restrained in motor vehicles.

(2) Federal share.—The Federal share of the costs of activities funded using amounts from grants awarded under this subsection may not exceed 80 percent for each fiscal year for which a State receives a grant.

(3) Eligibility.—

(A) High seat belt use rate.—A State with an observed seat belt use rate of 90 percent or higher, based on the most recent data from a survey that conforms with national criteria established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, shall be eligible for a grant in a fiscal year if the State—

(i) submits an occupant protection plan during the first fiscal year;

(ii) participates in the Click It or Ticket national mobilization;

(iii) has an active network of child restraint inspection stations; and

(iv) has a plan to recruit, train, and maintain a sufficient number of child passenger safety technicians.

(B) Lower seat belt use rate.—A State with an observed seat belt use rate below 90 percent, based on the most recent data from a survey that conforms with national criteria established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, shall be eligible for a grant in a fiscal year if—

(i) the State meets all of the requirements under clauses (i) through (iv) of subparagraph (A); and

(ii) the Secretary determines that the State meets at least 3 of the following criteria:

(I) The State conducts sustained (on-going and periodic) seat belt enforcement at a defined level of participation during the year.

(II) The State has enacted and enforces a primary enforcement seat belt use law.

(III) The State has implemented countermeasure programs for high-risk populations, such as drivers on rural roadways, unrestrained nighttime drivers, or teenage drivers.

(IV) The State has enacted and enforces occupant protection laws requiring front and rear occupant protection use by all occupants in an age-appropriate restraint.

(V) The State has implemented a comprehensive occupant protection program in which the State has—

(aa) conducted a program assessment;

(bb) developed a statewide strategic plan;

(cc) designated an occupant protection coordinator; and

(dd) established a statewide occupant protection task force.

(VI) The State—

(aa) completed an assessment of its occupant protection program during the 5-year period preceding the grant year; or

(bb) will conduct such an assessment during the first year of the grant.

(4) Use of grant amounts.—

(A) In general.—Grant funds received pursuant to this subsection may be used to—

(i) carry out a program to support high-visibility enforcement mobilizations, including paid media that emphasizes publicity for the program, and law enforcement;

(ii) carry out a program to train occupant protection safety professionals, police officers, fire and emergency medical personnel, educators, and parents concerning all aspects of the use of child restraints and occupant protection;

(iii) carry out a program to educate the public concerning the proper use and installation of child restraints, including related equipment and information systems;

(iv) carry out a program to provide community child passenger safety services, including programs about proper seating positions for children and how to reduce the improper use of child restraints;

(v) implement programs—

(I) to recruit and train nationally certified child passenger safety technicians among police officers, fire and other first responders, emergency medical personnel, and other individuals or organizations serving low-income and underserved populations;

(II) to educate parents and caregivers in low-income and underserved populations regarding the importance of proper use and correct installation of child restraints on every trip in a motor vehicle; and

(III) to purchase and distribute child restraints to low-income and underserved populations; and

(vi) establish and maintain information systems containing data concerning occupant protection, including the collection and administration of child passenger safety and occupant protection surveys.

(B) Requirements.—Each State that is eligible to receive funds—

(i) under paragraph (3)(A) shall use—

(I) not more than 90 percent of those funds to carry out a project or activity eligible for funding under section 402; and

(II) not less than 10 percent of those funds to carry out subparagraph (A)(v); and

(ii) under paragraph (3)(B) shall use not less than 10 percent of those funds to carry out the activities described in subparagraph (A)(v).

(5) Grant amount.—The allocation of grant funds to a State under this subsection for a fiscal year shall be in proportion to the State's apportionment under section 402 for fiscal year 2009.

(6) Definitions.—In this subsection:

(A) Child restraint.—The term "child restraint" means any device (including child safety seat, booster seat, harness, and excepting seat belts) that is—

(i) designed for use in a motor vehicle to restrain, seat, or position children who weigh 65 pounds (30 kilograms) or less; and

(ii) certified to the Federal motor vehicle safety standard prescribed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for child restraints.

(B) Seat belt.—The term "seat belt" means—

(i) with respect to open-body motor vehicles, including convertibles, an occupant restraint system consisting of a lap belt or a lap belt and a detachable shoulder belt; and

(ii) with respect to other motor vehicles, an occupant restraint system consisting of integrated lap and shoulder belts.

(c) State Traffic Safety Information System Improvements.—

(1) General authority.—Subject to the requirements under this subsection, the Secretary shall award grants to States to support the development and implementation of effective State programs that—

(A) improve the timeliness, accuracy, completeness, uniformity, integration, and accessibility of the State safety data that is needed to identify priorities for Federal, State, and local highway and traffic safety programs;

(B) evaluate the effectiveness of efforts to make such improvements;

(C) link the State data systems, including traffic records, with other data systems within the State, such as systems that contain medical, roadway, and economic data;

(D) improve the compatibility and interoperability of the data systems of the State with national data systems and data systems of other States, including the National EMS Information System;

(E) enhance the ability of the Secretary to observe and analyze national trends in crash occurrences, rates, outcomes, and circumstances.

(2) Federal share.—The Federal share of the cost of adopting and implementing in a fiscal year a State program described in this subsection may not exceed 80 percent.

(3) Eligibility.—A State shall not be eligible to receive a grant under this subsection for a fiscal year unless the State—

(A) has certified to the Secretary that the State—

(i) has a functioning traffic records coordinating committee (referred to in this paragraph as "TRCC") that meets at least 3 times each year;

(ii) has designated a TRCC coordinator; and

(iii) has established a State traffic record strategic plan that has been approved by the TRCC and describes specific quantifiable and measurable improvements anticipated in the State's core safety databases, including crash, citation or adjudication, driver, emergency medical services or injury surveillance system, roadway, and vehicle databases; and

(B) has demonstrated quantitative progress in relation to the significant data program attribute of—

(i) accuracy;

(ii) completeness;

(iii) timeliness;

(iv) uniformity;

(v) accessibility; or

(vi) integration of a core highway safety database.

(4) Use of grant amounts.—A State may use a grant received under this subsection to make data program improvements to core highway safety databases relating to quantifiable, measurable progress in any significant data program attribute described in paragraph (3)(B), including through—

(A) software or applications to identify, collect, and report data to State and local government agencies, and enter data into State core highway safety databases, including crash, citation or adjudication, driver, emergency medical services or injury surveillance system, roadway, and vehicle data;

(B) purchasing equipment to improve a process by which data are identified, collated, and reported to State and local government agencies, including technology for use by law enforcement for near-real time, electronic reporting of crash data;

(C) improving the compatibility and interoperability of the core highway safety databases of the State with national data systems and data systems of other States, including the National EMS Information System;

(D) enhancing the ability of a State and the Secretary to observe and analyze local, State, and national trends in crash occurrences, rates, outcomes, and circumstances;

(E) supporting traffic records improvement training and expenditures for law enforcement, emergency medical, judicial, prosecutorial, and traffic records professionals;

(F) hiring traffic records professionals for the purpose of improving traffic information systems (including a State Fatal Accident Reporting System (FARS) liaison);

(G) adoption of the Model Minimum Uniform Crash Criteria, or providing to the public information regarding why any of those criteria will not be used, if applicable;

(H) supporting reporting criteria relating to emerging topics, including—

(i) impaired driving as a result of drug, alcohol, or polysubstance consumption; and

(ii) advanced technologies present on motor vehicles; and

(I) conducting research relating to State traffic safety information systems, including developing programs to improve core highway safety databases and processes by which data are identified, collected, reported to State and local government agencies, and entered into State core safety databases.

(5) Grant amount.—The allocation of grant funds to a State under this subsection for a fiscal year shall be in proportion to the State's apportionment under section 402 for fiscal year 2009.

(6) Technical assistance.—

(A) In general.—The Secretary shall provide technical assistance to States, regardless of whether a State receives a grant under this subsection, with respect to improving the timeliness, accuracy, completeness, uniformity, integration, and public accessibility of State safety data that are needed to identify priorities for Federal, State, and local highway and traffic safety programs, including on adoption by a State of the Model Minimum Uniform Crash Criteria.

(B) Funds.—The Secretary may use not more than 3 percent of the amounts available under this subsection to carry out subparagraph (A).

(d) Impaired Driving Countermeasures.—

(1) In general.—Subject to the requirements under this subsection, the Secretary of Transportation shall award grants to States that adopt and implement—

(A) effective programs to reduce driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or the combination of alcohol and drugs; or

(B) alcohol-ignition interlock laws.

(2) Federal share.—The Federal share of the costs of activities funded using amounts from grants under this subsection may not exceed 80 percent in any fiscal year in which the State receives a grant.

(3) Eligibility.—

(A) Low-range states.—Low-range States shall be eligible for a grant under this subsection.

(B) Mid-range states.—A mid-range State shall be eligible for a grant under this subsection if—

(i) a statewide impaired driving task force in the State developed a statewide plan during the most recent 3 calendar years to address the problem of impaired driving; or

(ii) the State will convene a statewide impaired driving task force to develop such a plan during the first year of the grant.

(C) High-range states.—A high-range State shall be eligible for a grant under this subsection if the State—

(i)(I) conducted an assessment of the State's impaired driving program during the most recent 3 calendar years; or

(II) will conduct such an assessment during the first year of the grant;

(ii) convenes, during the first year of the grant, a statewide impaired driving task force to develop a statewide plan that—

(I) addresses any recommendations from the assessment conducted under clause (i);

(II) includes a detailed plan for spending any grant funds provided under this subsection; and

(III) describes how such spending supports the statewide program; and

(iii)(I) submits the statewide plan to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration during the first year of the grant for the agency's review and approval;

(II) annually updates the statewide plan in each subsequent year of the grant; and

(III) submits each updated statewide plan for the agency's review and comment.

(4) Use of grant amounts.—

(A) Required programs.—High-range States shall use grant funds for—

(i) high-visibility enforcement efforts; and

(ii) any of the activities described in subparagraph (B) if—

(I) the activity is described in the statewide plan; and

(II) the Secretary approves the use of funding for such activity.

(B) Authorized programs.—Medium-range and low-range States may use grant funds for—

(i) any of the purposes described in subparagraph (A);

(ii) hiring a full-time or part-time impaired driving coordinator of the State's activities to address the enforcement and adjudication of laws regarding driving while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or the combination of alcohol and drugs;

(iii) court support of impaired driving prevention efforts, including—

(I) hiring criminal justice professionals, including law enforcement officers, prosecutors, traffic safety resource prosecutors, judges, judicial outreach liaisons, and probation officers;

(II) training and education of those professionals to assist the professionals in preventing impaired driving and handling impaired driving cases, including by providing compensation to a law enforcement officer to carry out safety grant activities to replace a law enforcement officer who is receiving drug recognition expert training or participating as an instructor in that drug recognition expert training; and

(III) establishing driving while intoxicated courts;

(iv) alcohol ignition interlock programs;

(v) improving blood alcohol and drug concentration screening and testing, detection of potentially impairing drugs (including through the use of oral fluid as a specimen), and reporting relating to testing and detection;

(vi) paid and earned media in support of high-visibility enforcement efforts, conducting initial and continuing standardized field sobriety training, advanced roadside impaired driving evaluation training, law enforcement phlebotomy training, and drug recognition expert training for law enforcement, and equipment and related expenditures used in connection with impaired driving enforcement in accordance with criteria established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration;

(vii) training on the use of alcohol and drug screening and brief intervention;

(viii) training for and implementation of impaired driving assessment programs or other tools designed to increase the probability of identifying the recidivism risk of a person convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of alcohol and drugs and to determine the most effective mental health or substance abuse treatment or sanction that will reduce such risk;

(ix) developing impaired driving information systems;

(x) costs associated with a 24-7 sobriety program; and

(xi) testing and implementing programs, and purchasing technologies, to better identify, monitor, or treat impaired drivers, including—

(I) oral fluid-screening technologies;

(II) electronic warrant programs;

(III) equipment to increase the scope, quantity, quality, and timeliness of forensic toxicology chemical testing;

(IV) case management software to support the management of impaired driving offenders; and

(V) technology to monitor impaired-driving offenders, and equipment and related expenditures used in connection with impaired-driving enforcement in accordance with criteria established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

(C) Other programs.—

(i) Low-range states.—Subject to clause (iii), low-range States may use grant funds for any expenditure designed to reduce impaired driving based on problem identification and may use not more than 50 percent of funds made available under this subsection for any project or activity eligible for funding under section 402.

(ii) Medium-range and high-range states.—Subject to clause (iii), medium-range and high-range States may use funds for any expenditure designed to reduce impaired driving based on problem identification upon approval by the Secretary.

(iii) Reporting and impaired driving measures.—A State may use grant funds for any expenditure relating to—

(I) increasing the timely and accurate reporting to Federal, State, and local databases of—

(aa) crash information, including electronic crash reporting systems that allow accurate real- or near-real-time uploading of crash information; and

(bb) impaired driving criminal justice information; or

(II) researching or evaluating impaired driving countermeasures.

(5) Grant amount.—Subject to paragraph (6), the allocation of grant funds to a State under this section for a fiscal year shall be in proportion to the State's apportionment under section 402 for fiscal year 2009.

(6) Additional grants.—

(A) Grants to states with alcohol-ignition interlock laws.—The Secretary shall make a separate grant under this subsection to each State that—

(i) adopts, and is enforcing, a mandatory alcohol-ignition interlock law for all individuals convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or of driving while intoxicated;

(ii) does not allow an individual convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or of driving while intoxicated to receive any driving privilege or driver's license unless the individual installs on each motor vehicle registered, owned, or leased for operation by the individual an ignition interlock for a period of not less than 180 days; or

(iii) has in effect, and is enforcing—

(I) a State law requiring for any individual who is convicted of, or the driving privilege of whom is revoked or denied for, refusing to submit to a chemical or other appropriate test for the purpose of determining the presence or concentration of any intoxicating substance, a State law requiring a period of not less than 180 days of ignition interlock installation on each motor vehicle to be operated by the individual; and

(II) a compliance-based removal program, under which an individual convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or of driving while intoxicated shall—

(aa) satisfy a period of not less than 180 days of ignition interlock installation on each motor vehicle to be operated by the individual; and

(bb) have completed a minimum consecutive period of not less than 40 percent of the required period of ignition interlock installation immediately preceding the date of release of the individual, without a confirmed violation.

(B) Grants to states with 24-7 sobriety programs.—The Secretary shall make a separate grant under this subsection to each State that—

(i) adopts and is enforcing a law that requires all individuals convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or of driving while intoxicated to receive a restriction on driving privileges; and

(ii) provides a 24-7 sobriety program.

(C) Use of funds.—Grants authorized under subparagraph (A) and subparagraph (B) may be used by recipient States for any eligible activities under this subsection or section 402.

(D) Allocation.—Amounts made available under this paragraph shall be allocated among States described in subparagraph (A) and subparagraph (B) in proportion to the State's apportionment under section 402 for fiscal year 2022.

(E) Funding.—

(i) Funding for grants to states with alcohol-ignition interlock laws.—Not more than 12 percent of the amounts made available to carry out this subsection in a fiscal year shall be made available by the Secretary for making grants under subparagraph (A).

(ii) Funding for grants to states with 24-7 sobriety programs.—Not more than 3 percent of the amounts made available to carry out this subsection in a fiscal year shall be made available by the Secretary for making grants under subparagraph (B).

(F) Exceptions.—A State alcohol-ignition interlock law under subparagraph (A) may include exceptions for the following circumstances:

(i) The individual is required to operate an employer's motor vehicle in the course and scope of employment and the business entity that owns the vehicle is not owned or controlled by the individual.

(ii) The individual is certified by a medical doctor as being unable to provide a deep lung breath sample for analysis by an ignition interlock device.

(iii) A State-certified ignition interlock provider is not available within 100 miles of the individual's residence.

(7) Definitions.—In this subsection:

(A) 24-7 sobriety program.—The term "24-7 sobriety program" means a State law or program that authorizes a State or local court or an agency with jurisdiction, as a condition of bond, sentence, probation, parole, or work permit, to—

(i) require an individual who was arrested for, plead guilty to, or was convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs to totally abstain from alcohol or drugs for a period of time; and

(ii) require the individual to be subject to testing for alcohol or drugs—

(I) at least twice per day at a testing location;

(II) by continuous transdermal alcohol monitoring via an electronic monitoring device; or

(III) by an alternate method with the concurrence of the Secretary.

(B) Average impaired driving fatality rate.—The term "average impaired driving fatality rate" means the number of fatalities in motor vehicle crashes involving a driver with a blood alcohol concentration of at least 0.08 percent for every 100,000,000 vehicle miles traveled, based on the most recently reported 3 calendar years of final data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System, as calculated in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

(C) High-range state.—The term "high-range State" means a State that has an average impaired driving fatality rate of 0.60 or higher.

(D) Low-range state.—The term "low-range State" means a State that has an average impaired driving fatality rate of 0.30 or lower.

(E) Mid-range state.—The term "mid-range State" means a State that has an average impaired driving fatality rate that is higher than 0.30 and lower than 0.60.

(e) Distracted Driving Grants.—

(1) Definitions.—In this subsection:

(A) Driving.—The term "driving"—

(i) means operating a motor vehicle on a public road; and

(ii) does not include operating a motor vehicle when the vehicle has pulled over to the side of, or off, an active roadway and has stopped in a location where it can safely remain stationary.

(B) Personal wireless communications device.—

(i) In general.—The term "personal wireless communications device" means—

(I) a device through which personal wireless services (as defined in section 332(c)(7)(C) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 332(c)(7)(C))) are transmitted; and

(II) a mobile telephone or other portable electronic communication device with which a user engages in a call or writes, sends, or reads a text message using at least 1 hand.

(ii) Exclusion.—The term "personal wireless communications device" does not include a global navigation satellite system receiver used for positioning, emergency notification, or navigation purposes.

(C) Primary offense.—The term "primary offense" means an offense for which a law enforcement officer may stop a vehicle solely for the purpose of issuing a citation in the absence of evidence of another offense.

(D) Public road.—The term "public road" has the meaning given such term in section 402(c).

(E) Text.—The term "text" means—

(i) to read from, or manually to enter data into, a personal wireless communications device, including for the purpose of SMS texting, emailing, instant messaging, or any other form of electronic data retrieval or electronic data communication; and

(ii) manually to enter, send, or retrieve a text message to communicate with another individual or device.

(F) Text message.—

(i) In general.—The term "text message" means—

(I) a text-based message;

(II) an instant message;

(III) an electronic message; and

(IV) email.

(ii) Exclusions.—The term "text message" does not include—

(I) an emergency, traffic, or weather alert; or

(II) a message relating to the operation or navigation of a motor vehicle.

(2) Grant program.—The Secretary shall provide a grant under this subsection to any State that includes distracted driving awareness as part of the driver's license examination of the State.

(3) Allocation.—

(A) In general.—For each fiscal year, not less than 50 percent of the amounts made available to carry out this subsection shall be allocated to States, based on the proportion that—

(i) the apportionment of the State under section 402 for fiscal year 2009; bears to

(ii) the apportionment of all States under section 402 for that fiscal year.

(B) Grants for states with distracted driving laws.—

(i) In general.—In addition to the allocations under subparagraph (A), for each fiscal year, not more than 50 percent of the amounts made available to carry out this subsection shall be allocated to States that enact and enforce a law that meets the requirements of paragraph (4), (5), or (6)—

(I) based on the proportion that—

(aa) the apportionment of the State under section 402 for fiscal year 2009; bears to

(bb) the apportionment of all States under section 402 for that fiscal year; and

(II) subject to clauses (ii), (iii), and (iv), as applicable.

(ii) Primary laws.—Subject to clause (iv), in the case of a State that enacts and enforces a law that meets the requirements of paragraph (4), (5), or (6) as a primary offense, the allocation to the State under this subparagraph shall be 100 percent of the amount calculated to be allocated to the State under clause (i)(I).

(iii) Secondary laws.—Subject to clause (iv), in the case of a State that enacts and enforces a law that meets the requirements of paragraph (4), (5), or (6) as a secondary enforcement action, the allocation to the State under this subparagraph shall be an amount equal to 50 percent of the amount calculated to be allocated to the State under clause (i)(I).

(iv) Texting while driving.—Notwithstanding clauses (ii) and (iii), the allocation under this subparagraph to a State that enacts and enforces a law that prohibits a driver from viewing a personal wireless communications device (except for purposes of navigation) shall be 25 percent of the amount calculated to be allocated to the State under clause (i)(I).

(4) Prohibition on texting while driving.—A State law meets the requirements of this paragraph if the law—

(A) prohibits a driver from texting through a personal wireless communications device while driving;

(B) establishes a fine for a violation of the law; and

(C) does not provide for an exemption that specifically allows a driver to use a personal wireless communications device for texting while stopped in traffic.

(5) Prohibition on handheld phone use while driving.—A State law meets the requirements of this paragraph if the law—

(A) prohibits a driver from holding a personal wireless communications device while driving;

(B) establishes a fine for a violation of that law; and

(C) does not provide for an exemption that specifically allows a driver to use a personal wireless communications device for texting while stopped in traffic.

(6) Prohibition on youth cell phone use while driving or stopped in traffic.—A State law meets the requirements of this paragraph if the law—

(A) prohibits a driver from using a personal wireless communications device while driving if the driver is—

(i) younger than 18 years of age; or

(ii) in the learner's permit or intermediate license stage;

(B) establishes a fine for a violation of the law; and

(C) does not provide for—

(i) an exemption that specifically allows a driver to use a personal wireless communications device for texting while stopped in traffic; or

(ii) an exemption described in paragraph (7)(E).

(7) Permitted exceptions.—A law that meets the requirements of paragraph (4), (5), or (6) may provide exceptions for—

(A) a driver who uses a personal wireless communications device during an emergency to contact emergency services to prevent injury to persons or property;

(B) emergency services personnel who use a personal wireless communications device while—

(i) operating an emergency services vehicle; and

(ii) engaged in the performance of their duties as emergency services personnel;

(C) an individual employed as a commercial motor vehicle driver or a school bus driver who uses a personal wireless communications device within the scope of such individual's employment if such use is permitted under the regulations promulgated pursuant to section 31136 of title 49;

(D) a driver who uses a personal wireless communications device for navigation;

(E) except for a law described in paragraph (6), the use of a personal wireless communications device—

(i) in a hands-free manner;

(ii) with a hands-free accessory; or

(iii) with the activation or deactivation of a feature or function of the personal wireless communications device with the motion of a single swipe or tap of the finger of the driver; and

(F) any additional exceptions determined by the Secretary through a rulemaking process.

(8) Use of grant funds.—

(A) In general.—Except as provided in subparagraph (B), amounts received by a State under this subsection shall be used—

(i) to educate the public through advertising containing information about the dangers of texting or using a cell phone while driving;

(ii) for traffic signs that notify drivers about the distracted driving law of the State; or

(iii) for law enforcement costs related to the enforcement of the distracted driving law.

(B) Flexibility.—

(i) Not more than 50 percent of amounts received by a State under this subsection may be used for any eligible project or activity under section 402.

(ii) Not more than 75 percent of amounts received by a State under this subsection may be used for any eligible project or activity under section 402 if the State has conformed its distracted driving data to the most recent Model Minimum Uniform Crash Criteria published by the Secretary.

(9) Allocation to support state distracted driving laws.—Of the amounts available under this subsection in a fiscal year for distracted driving grants, the Secretary may expend not more than $5,000,000 for the development and placement of broadcast media to reduce distracted driving of motor vehicles.

(f) Motorcyclist Safety.—

(1) Grants authorized.—Subject to the requirements under this subsection, the Secretary shall award grants to States that adopt and implement effective programs to reduce the number of single- and multi-vehicle crashes involving motorcyclists.

(2) Grant amount.—The allocation of grant funds to a State under this subsection for a fiscal year shall be in proportion to the State's apportionment under section 402 for fiscal year 2009, except that the amount of a grant awarded to a State for a fiscal year may not exceed 25 percent of the amount apportioned to the State under such section for fiscal year 2009.

(3) Grant eligibility.—A State becomes eligible for a grant under this subsection by adopting or demonstrating to the satisfaction of the Secretary, at least 2 of the following criteria:

(A) Motorcycle rider training courses.—An effective motorcycle rider training course that is offered throughout the State, which—

(i) provides a formal program of instruction in crash avoidance and other safety-oriented operational skills to motorcyclists; and

(ii) may include innovative training opportunities to meet unique regional needs.

(B) Motorcyclists awareness program.—An effective statewide program to enhance motorist awareness of the presence of motorcyclists on or near roadways and safe driving practices that avoid injuries to motorcyclists.

(C) Helmet law.—A State law requiring the use of a helmet for each motorcycle rider under the age of 18.

(D) Reduction of fatalities and crashes involving motorcycles.—A reduction for the preceding calendar year in the number of motorcycle fatalities and the rate of motor vehicle crashes involving motorcycles in the State (expressed as a function of 10,000 motorcycle registrations).

(E) Impaired driving program.—Implementation of a statewide program to reduce impaired driving, including specific measures to reduce impaired motorcycle operation.

(F) Reduction of fatalities and crashes involving impaired motorcyclists.—A reduction for the preceding calendar year in the number of fatalities and the rate of reported crashes involving alcohol- or drug-impaired motorcycle operators (expressed as a function of 10,000 motorcycle registrations).

(G) Fees collected from motorcyclists.—All fees collected by the State from motorcyclists for the purposes of funding motorcycle training and safety programs will be used for motorcycle training and safety purposes.

(4) Eligible uses.—

(A) In general.—A State may use funds from a grant under this subsection only for motorcyclist safety training and motorcyclist awareness programs, including—

(i) improvements to motorcyclist safety training curricula;

(ii) improvements in program delivery of motorcycle training to both urban and rural areas, including—

(I) procurement or repair of practice motorcycles;

(II) instructional materials;

(III) mobile training units; and

(IV) leasing or purchasing facilities for closed-course motorcycle skill training;

(iii) measures designed to increase the recruitment or retention of motorcyclist safety training instructors; and

(iv) public awareness, public service announcements, and other outreach programs to enhance driver awareness of motorcyclists, including "share-the-road" safety messages.

(B) Suballocations of funds.—An agency of a State that receives a grant under this subsection may suballocate funds from the grant to a nonprofit organization incorporated in that State to carry out this subsection.

(C) Flexibility.—Not more than 50 percent of grant funds received by a State under this subsection may be used for any eligible project or activity under section 402 if the State is in the lowest 25 percent of all States for motorcycle deaths per 10,000 motorcycle registrations based on the most recent data that conforms with criteria established by the Secretary.

(5) Definitions.—In this subsection:

(A) Motorcyclist awareness.—The term "motorcyclist awareness" means individual or collective awareness of—

(i) the presence of motorcycles on or near roadways; and

(ii) safe driving practices that avoid injury to motorcyclists.

(B) Motorcyclist awareness program.—The term "motorcyclist awareness program" means an informational or public awareness program designed to enhance motorcyclist awareness that is developed by or in coordination with the designated State authority having jurisdiction over motorcyclist safety issues, which may include the State motorcycle safety administrator or a motorcycle advisory council appointed by the governor of the State.

(C) Motorcyclist safety training.—The term "motorcyclist safety training" means a formal program of instruction that is approved for use in a State by the designated State authority having jurisdiction over motorcyclist safety issues, which may include the State motorcycle safety administrator or a motorcycle advisory council appointed by the governor of the State.

(D) State.—The term "State" has the meaning given such term in section 101(a) of title 23, United States Code.

(6) Share-the-road model language.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this paragraph, the Secretary shall update and provide to the States model language, for use in traffic safety education courses, driver's manuals, and other driver training materials, that provides instruction for drivers of motor vehicles on the importance of sharing the road safely with motorcyclists.

(g) Nonmotorized Safety.—

(1) Definition of nonmotorized road user.—In this subsection, the term "nonmotorized road user" means—

(A) a pedestrian;

(B) an individual using a nonmotorized mode of transportation, including a bicycle, a scooter, or a personal conveyance; and

(C) an individual using a low-speed or low-horsepower motorized vehicle, including an electric bicycle, electric scooter, personal mobility assistance device, personal transporter, or all-terrain vehicle.

(2) General authority.—Subject to the requirements under this subsection, the Secretary shall award grants to States for the purpose of decreasing nonmotorized road user fatalities involving a motor vehicle in transit on a trafficway.

(3) Federal share.—The Federal share of the cost of a project carried out by a State using amounts from a grant awarded under this subsection may not exceed 80 percent.

(4) Eligibility.—A State shall receive a grant under this subsection in a fiscal year if the annual combined nonmotorized road user fatalities in the State exceed 15 percent of the total annual crash fatalities in the State, based on the most recently reported final data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System.

(5) Use of grant amounts.—Grant funds received by a State under this subsection may be used for the safety of nonmotorized road users, including—

(A) training of law enforcement officials relating to nonmotorized road user safety, State laws applicable to nonmotorized road user safety, and infrastructure designed to improve nonmotorized road user safety;

(B) carrying out a program to support enforcement mobilizations and campaigns designed to enforce State traffic laws applicable to nonmotorized road user safety;

(C) public education and awareness programs designed to inform motorists and nonmotorized road users regarding—

(i) nonmotorized road user safety, including information relating to nonmotorized mobility and the importance of speed management to the safety of nonmotorized road users;

(ii) the value of the use of nonmotorized road user safety equipment, including lighting, conspicuity equipment, mirrors, helmets, and other protective equipment, and compliance with any State or local laws requiring the use of that equipment;

(iii) State traffic laws applicable to nonmotorized road user safety, including the responsibilities of motorists with respect to nonmotorized road users; and

(iv) infrastructure designed to improve nonmotorized road user safety; and

(D) the collection of data, and the establishment and maintenance of data systems, relating to nonmotorized road user traffic fatalities.

(6) Grant amount.—The allocation of grant funds to a State under this subsection for a fiscal year shall be in proportion to the State's apportionment under section 402 for fiscal year 2009.

(h) Preventing Roadside Deaths.—

(1) In general.—The Secretary shall provide grants to States to prevent death and injury from crashes involving motor vehicles striking other vehicles and individuals stopped at the roadside.

(2) Federal share.—The Federal share of the cost of carrying out an activity funded through a grant under this subsection may not exceed 80 percent.

(3) Eligibility.—A State shall receive a grant under this subsection in a fiscal year if the State submits to the Secretary a plan that describes the method by which the State will use grant funds in accordance with paragraph (4).

(4) Use of funds.—Amounts received by a State under this subsection shall be used by the State—

(A) to purchase and deploy digital alert technology that—

(i) is capable of receiving alerts regarding nearby first responders; and

(ii) in the case of a motor vehicle that is used for emergency response activities, is capable of sending alerts to civilian drivers to protect first responders on the scene and en route;

(B) to educate the public regarding the safety of vehicles and individuals stopped at the roadside in the State through public information campaigns for the purpose of reducing roadside deaths and injury;

(C) for law enforcement costs relating to enforcing State laws to protect the safety of vehicles and individuals stopped at the roadside;

(D) for programs to identify, collect, and report to State and local government agencies data relating to crashes involving vehicles and individuals stopped at the roadside; and

(E) to pilot and incentivize measures, including optical visibility measures, to increase the visibility of stopped and disabled vehicles.

(5) Grant amount.—The allocation of grant funds to a State under this subsection for a fiscal year shall be in proportion to the apportionment of that State under section 402 for fiscal year 2022.

(i) Driver and Officer Safety Education.—

(1) Definition of peace officer.—In this subsection, the term "peace officer" includes any individual—

(A) who is an elected, appointed, or employed agent of a government entity;

(B) who has the authority—

(i) to carry firearms; and

(ii) to make warrantless arrests; and

(C) whose duties involve the enforcement of criminal laws of the United States.

(2) Grants.—Subject to the requirements of this subsection, the Secretary shall provide grants to—

(A) States that enact or adopt a law or program described in paragraph (4); and

(B) qualifying States under paragraph (7).

(3) Federal share.—The Federal share of the cost of carrying out an activity funded through a grant under this subsection may not exceed 80 percent.

(4) Description of law or program.—A law or program referred to in paragraph (2)(A) is a law or program that requires 1 or more of the following:

(A) Driver education and driving safety courses.—The inclusion, in driver education and driver safety courses provided to individuals by educational and motor vehicle agencies of the State, of instruction and testing relating to law enforcement practices during traffic stops, including information relating to—

(i) the role of law enforcement and the duties and responsibilities of peace officers;

(ii) the legal rights of individuals concerning interactions with peace officers;

(iii) best practices for civilians and peace officers during those interactions;

(iv) the consequences for failure of an individual or officer to comply with the law or program; and

(v) how and where to file a complaint against, or a compliment relating to, a peace officer.

(B) Peace officer training programs.—Development and implementation of a training program, including instruction and testing materials, for peace officers and reserve law enforcement officers (other than officers who have received training in a civilian course described in subparagraph (A)) with respect to proper interaction with civilians during traffic stops.

(5) Use of funds.—A State may use a grant provided under this subsection for—

(A) the production of educational materials and training of staff for driver education and driving safety courses and peace officer training described in paragraph (4); and

(B) the implementation of a law or program described in paragraph (4).

(6) Grant amount.—The allocation of grant funds to a State under this subsection for a fiscal year shall be in proportion to the apportionment of that State under section 402 for fiscal year 2022.

(7) Special rule for certain states.—

(A) Definition of qualifying state.—In this paragraph, the term "qualifying State" means a State that—

(i) has received a grant under this subsection for a period of not more than 5 years; and

(ii) as determined by the Secretary—

(I) has not fully enacted or adopted a law or program described in paragraph (4); but

(II)(aa) has taken meaningful steps toward the full implementation of such a law or program; and

(bb) has established a timetable for the implementation of such a law or program.

(B) Withholding.—The Secretary shall—

(i) withhold 50 percent of the amount that each qualifying State would otherwise receive under this subsection if the qualifying State were a State described in paragraph (2)(A); and

(ii) direct any amounts withheld under clause (i) for distribution among the States that are enforcing and carrying out a law or program described in paragraph (4).

(Added Pub. L. 105–178, title II, §2003(a)(1), June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 325; amended Pub. L. 109–59, title II, §§2002(e), 2004, Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1522, 1524; Pub. L. 111–147, title IV, §421(c)(1), Mar. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 84; Pub. L. 112–30, title I, §121(c)(1), Sept. 16, 2011, 125 Stat. 347; Pub. L. 112–141, div. C, title I, §31105(a), July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 741; Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title IV, §§4005, 4014(3), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1501, 1513; Pub. L. 117–58, div. B, title IV, §24105(a), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 795.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The date of enactment of this paragraph, referred to in subsec. (f)(6), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 114–94, which was approved Dec. 4, 2015.

Prior Provisions

A prior section 405, added Pub. L. 93–87, title II, §230(a), Aug. 13, 1973, 87 Stat. 293; amended Pub. L. 93–643, §121, Jan. 4, 1975, 88 Stat. 2289, related to the Federal-aid safer roads demonstration program, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 94–280, title I, §135(c), May 5, 1976, 90 Stat. 442.

Amendments

2021—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(1)(C), substituted "Program Authority" for "General Authority" in heading and struck out introductory provisions which read as follows: "Subject to the requirements of this section, the Secretary shall manage programs to address national priorities for reducing highway deaths and injuries. Funds shall be allocated according to the following:".

Subsec. (a)(1) to (3). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(1)(B), (C), added par. (1) and redesignated former pars. (1) and (2) as (2) and (3), respectively. Former par. (3) redesignated (4).

Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(1)(B), (D), redesignated par. (3) as (4) and substituted "53 percent" for "52.5 percent". Former par. (4) redesignated (5).

Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(1)(B), redesignated par. (4) as (5). Former par. (5) redesignated (6).

Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(1)(A), (B), redesignated par. (5) as (6) and struck out former par. (6). Prior to amendment, text of par. (6) read as follows: "In each fiscal year, 5 percent of the funds provided under this section shall be allocated among States that adopt and implement graduated driver licensing laws (as described in subsection (g))."

Subsec. (a)(7). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(1)(E), substituted "7 percent" for "5 percent" and "subsection (g)" for "subsection (h)".

Subsec. (a)(8). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(1)(G), added par. (8). Former par. (8) redesignated (10).

Subsec. (a)(9). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(1)(A), (G), added par. (9) and struck out former par. (9). Prior to amendment, text read as follows:

"(A) Certification.—As part of the grant application required in section 402(k)(3)(F), a State receiving a grant in any fiscal year under subsection (b), (c), or (d) of this section shall provide certification that the lead State agency responsible for programs described in any of those subsections is maintaining aggregate expenditures at or above the average level of such expenditures in the 2 fiscal years prior to the date of enactment of the FAST Act.

"(B) Waiver.—Upon the request of a State, the Secretary may waive or modify the requirements under subparagraph (A) for not more than 1 fiscal year if the Secretary determines that such a waiver would be equitable due to exceptional or uncontrollable circumstances."

Subsec. (a)(10). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(1)(F), (H), redesignated par. (8) as (10) and substituted "paragraphs (2) through (9)" for "paragraphs (1) through (7)" and "subsections (b) through (i)" for "subsections (b) through (h)". Former par. (10) redesignated (11).

Subsec. (a)(11). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(1)(F), redesignated par. (10) as (11).

Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(2)(A), struck out "of Transportation" before "shall award grants".

Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(ii)(VI)(aa). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(2)(B), substituted "5-year" for "3-year".

Subsec. (b)(4)(A)(v). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(2)(C)(i), added cl. (v) and struck out former cl. (v) which read as follows: "purchase and distribute child restraints to low-income families, provided that not more than 5 percent of the funds received in a fiscal year are used for such purpose; and".

Subsec. (b)(4)(B). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(2)(C)(ii), added subpar. (B) and struck out former subpar. (B). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "A State that is eligible for funds under paragraph (3)(A) may use up to 100 percent of such funds for any project or activity eligible for funding under section 402."

Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(3)(A)(i), struck out "of Transportation" before "shall award grants" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (c)(1)(D). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(3)(A)(ii), substituted "States, including the National EMS Information System;" for "States; and".

Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(3)(B)(i), substituted "A State shall not be eligible to receive a grant under this subsection for a fiscal year unless the State—" for "A State is not eligible for a grant under this subsection in a fiscal year unless the State demonstrates, to the satisfaction of the Secretary, that the State—" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (c)(3)(A). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(3)(B)(i), (ii)(II), (iii)(II), substituted "has certified to the Secretary that the State—" for "has a functioning", designated remainder of existing provisions as cl. (i), and redesignated subpars. (B) and (C) of par. (3) as cls. (ii) and (iii), respectively, of subpar. (A) and realigned margins.

Subsec. (c)(3)(B). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(3)(B)(iv), redesignated subpar. (D) as (B). Former subpar. (B) redesignated cl. (ii) of subpar. (A).

Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(3)(B)(ii)(I), inserted "and" after semicolon at end.

Subsec. (c)(3)(B)(vi). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(3)(B)(v), substituted period for "; and" at end.

Subsec. (c)(3)(C). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(3)(B)(iii)(I), inserted "and" after semicolon at end.

Subsec. (c)(3)(E). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(3)(B)(vi), struck out subpar. (E) which read as follows: "has certified to the Secretary that an assessment of the State's highway safety data and traffic records system was conducted or updated during the preceding 5 years."

Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(3)(C), added par. (4) and struck out former par. (4). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "Grant funds received by a State under this subsection shall be used for making data program improvements to core highway safety databases related to quantifiable, measurable progress in any of the 6 significant data program attributes set forth in paragraph (3)(D)."

Subsec. (c)(6). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(3)(D), added par. (6).

Subsec. (d)(4)(B)(iii). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(4)(A)(i)(I), added cl. (iii) and struck out former cl. (iii) which read as follows: "court support of high-visibility enforcement efforts, training and education of criminal justice professionals (including law enforcement, prosecutors, judges, and probation officers) to assist such professionals in handling impaired driving cases, hiring traffic safety resource prosecutors, hiring judicial outreach liaisons, and establishing driving while intoxicated courts;".

Subsec. (d)(4)(B)(v). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(4)(A)(i)(II), added cl. (v) and struck out former cl. (v) which read as follows: "improving blood-alcohol concentration testing and reporting;".

Subsec. (d)(4)(B)(vi). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(4)(A)(i)(III), substituted "conducting initial and continuing standardized field sobriety training, advanced roadside impaired driving evaluation training, law enforcement phlebotomy training, and" for "conducting standardized field sobriety training, advanced roadside impaired driving evaluation training, and".

Subsec. (d)(4)(B)(xi). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(4)(A)(i)(IV)–(VI), added cl. (xi).

Subsec. (d)(4)(C). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(4)(A)(ii), designated first sentence as cl. (i), inserted heading, and substituted "Subject to clause (iii), low-range" for "Low-range"; designated second sentence as cl. (ii), inserted heading, and substituted "Subject to clause (iii), medium-range" for "Medium-range"; and added cl. (iii).

Subsec. (d)(6)(A). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(4)(B)(i), added subpar. (A) and struck out former subpar. (A). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "The Secretary shall make a separate grant under this subsection to each State that adopts and is enforcing a mandatory alcohol-ignition interlock law for all individuals convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or of driving while intoxicated."

Subsec. (d)(6)(D). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(4)(B)(ii), substituted "2022" for "2009".

Subsec. (d)(7)(A). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(4)(C), inserted "or local" after "authorizes a State" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(5)(B), (C)(i), redesignated par. (9) as (1) and struck out ", the following definitions apply" after "In this subsection" in introductory provisions. Former par. (1) redesignated (2).

Subsec. (e)(1)(B). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(5)(C)(ii), added subpar. (B) and struck out former subpar. (B). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "The term 'personal wireless communications device'—

"(i) means a device through which personal wireless services (as defined in section 332(c)(7)(C)(i) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 332(c)(7)(C)(i))) are transmitted; and

"(ii) does not include a global navigation satellite system receiver used for positioning, emergency notification, or navigation purposes."

Subsec. (e)(1)(E), (F). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(5)(C)(iii), added subpars. (E) and (F) and struck out former subpar. (E). Prior to amendment, text of subpar. (E) read as follows: "The term 'texting' means reading from or manually entering data into a personal wireless communications device, including doing so for the purpose of SMS texting, emailing, instant messaging, or engaging in any other form of electronic data retrieval or electronic data communication."

Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(5)(B), (D), redesignated par. (1) as (2), struck it out, and added a new par. (2). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "The Secretary shall award a grant under this subsection to any State that includes distracted driving awareness as part of the State's driver's license examination, and enacts and enforces a law that meets the requirements set forth in paragraphs (2) and (3)." Former par. (2) redesignated (4).

Subsec. (e)(3). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(5)(D), added par. (3).

Subsec. (e)(4). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(5)(B), (E)(i), redesignated par. (2) as (4) and substituted "of this" for "set forth in this" in introductory provisions. Former par. (4) redesignated (7).

Subsec. (e)(4)(B). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(5)(E)(ii)–(iv), redesignated subpar. (C) as (B), struck out "minimum" before "fine", and struck out former subpar. (B) which read as follows: "makes violation of the law a primary offense;".

Subsec. (e)(4)(C), (D). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(5)(E)(iii), (v), redesignated subpar. (D) as (C) and substituted "use a personal wireless communications device for texting" for "text through a personal wireless communication device". Former subpar. (C) redesignated (B).

Subsec. (e)(5). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(5)(F), added par. (5).

Subsec. (e)(6). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(5)(A), (B), (G)(i), redesignated par. (3) as (6), substituted "of this" for "set forth in this" in introductory provisions, and struck out former par. (6) which related to additional grants for activities related to enforcement of distracted driving laws.

Subsec. (e)(6)(A)(ii). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(5)(G)(ii), struck out "set forth in subsection (g)(2)(B)" after "intermediate license stage".

Subsec. (e)(6)(B). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(5)(G)(iii)–(v), redesignated subpar. (C) as (B), struck out "minimum" before "fine", and struck out former subpar. (B) which read as follows: "makes violation of the law a primary offense;".

Subsec. (e)(6)(C). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(5)(G)(vi), added subpar. (C). Former subpar. (C) redesignated (B).

Subsec. (e)(6)(D). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(5)(G)(iii), struck out subpar. (D) which read as follows: "does not provide for an exemption that specifically allows a driver to text through a personal wireless communication device while stopped in traffic."

Subsec. (e)(7). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(5)(B), (H)(i), redesignated par. (4) as (7) and substituted "of paragraph (4), (5), or (6)" for "set forth in paragraph (2) or (3)" in introductory provisions. Former par. (7) redesignated (9).

Subsec. (e)(7)(A). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(5)(H)(ii), added subpar. (A) and struck out former subpar. (A) which read as follows: "a driver who uses a personal wireless communications device to contact emergency services;".

Subsec. (e)(7)(D) to (F). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(5)(H)(iii)–(v), added subpars. (D) and (E) and redesignated former subpar. (D) as (F).

Subsec. (e)(8). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(5)(A), (B), redesignated par. (5) as (8) and struck out former par. (8). Prior to amendment, text of par. (8) read as follows: "The allocation of grant funds to a State under this subsection for a fiscal year shall be in proportion to the State's apportionment under section 402 for fiscal year 2009."

Subsec. (e)(9). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(5)(B), redesignated par. (7) as (9). Former par. (9) redesignated (1).

Subsec. (f)(3)(A)(i). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(6)(A), substituted "crash" for "accident".

Subsec. (f)(3)(C) to (E). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(6)(B), (C), added subpar. (C) and redesignated former subpars. (C) and (D) as (D) and (E), respectively. Former subpar. (E) redesignated (F).

Subsec. (f)(3)(F). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(6)(B), (D), redesignated subpar. (E) as (F) and substituted "crashes" for "accidents" in heading. Former subpar. (F) redesignated (G).

Subsec. (f)(3)(G). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(6)(B), redesignated subpar. (F) as (G).

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(7), (8), redesignated subsec. (h) as (g) and struck out former subsec. (g) which authorized Secretary to award grants to States that adopt and implement graduated driver licensing laws and meet minimum requirements and to promulgate regulations necessary to implement minimum requirements.

Subsec. (g)(1). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(9)(B), added par. (1). Former par. (1) redesignated (2).

Subsec. (g)(2). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(9)(A), (C), redesignated par. (1) as (2) and substituted "nonmotorized road user fatalities involving a motor vehicle in transit on a trafficway" for "pedestrian and bicycle fatalities and injuries that result from crashes involving a motor vehicle". Former par. (2) redesignated (3).

Subsec. (g)(3). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(9)(A), redesignated par. (2) as (3). Former par. (3) redesignated (4).

Subsec. (g)(4). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(9)(A), (D), redesignated par. (3) as (4) and substituted "nonmotorized road user" for "pedestrian and bicycle". Former par. (4) redesignated (5).

Subsec. (g)(5). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(9)(A), (E), redesignated par. (4) as (5), struck it out, and added a new par. (5). Prior to amendment, par. related to use of grant funds received by a State with traffic laws applicable to pedestrian and bicycle safety. Former par. (5) redesignated (6).

Subsec. (g)(6). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(9)(A), redesignated par. (5) as (6).

Subsecs. (h), (i). Pub. L. 117–58, §24105(a)(10), added subsecs. (h) and (i). Former subsec. (h) redesignated (g).

2015—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 114–94, §4005(a), amended subsec. (a) generally. Prior to amendment, text related to the general authority of the Secretary of Transportation to manage programs to address national priorities for reducing highway deaths and injuries.

Subsec. (b)(4)(B). Pub. L. 114–94, §4005(b), substituted "100 percent" for "75 percent".

Subsec. (d)(4). Pub. L. 114–94, §4005(c)(1), added par. (4) and struck out former par. (4), which related to the use of grant funds.

Subsec. (d)(5). Pub. L. 114–94, §4014(3)(A)(i), substituted "under section 402" for "under section 402(c)".

Subsec. (d)(6). Pub. L. 114–94, §4005(c)(2)(A), amended heading generally. Prior to amendment, heading read as follows: "Grants to states that adopt and enforce mandatory alcohol-ignition interlock laws.".

Subsec. (d)(6)(A). Pub. L. 114–94, §4005(c)(2)(B), amended heading generally. Prior to amendment, heading read as follows: "In general.—".

Subsec. (d)(6)(B). Pub. L. 114–94, §4005(c)(2)(D), added subpar. (B). Former subsec. (B) redesignated (C).

Subsec. (d)(6)(C). Pub. L. 114–94, §4014(3)(A)(ii), which directed substitution of "in proportion to the State's apportionment under section 402 for fiscal year 2009" for "on the basis of the apportionment formula set forth in section 402(c)" in subpar. (D) as redesignated by Pub. L. 114–94, §4005(c)(2)(C), was executed by making substitution to subpar. (C) to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Pub. L. 114–94, §4005(c)(2)(C), (E), redesignated subpar. (B) as (C), and in subpar. (C) substituted "and subparagraph (B)" after "subparagraph (A)". Former subpar. (C) redesignated (D).

Subsec. (d)(6)(D). Pub. L. 114–94, §4005(c)(2)(F), inserted "and subparagraph (B)" after "subparagraph (A)".

Pub. L. 114–94, §4005(c)(2)(C), redesignated subpar. (C) as (D). Former subpar. (D) redesignated (E).

Subsec. (d)(6)(E). Pub. L. 114–94, §4005(c)(2)(G), amended subpar. (E) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (E) related to funding.

Pub. L. 114–94, §4005(c)(2)(C), redesignated subpar. (D) as (E).

Subsec. (d)(6)(F). Pub. L. 114–94, §4005(c)(2)(H), added subpar. (F).

Subsec. (d)(7)(A). Pub. L. 114–94, §4005(c)(3)(A)(i), in introductory provisions, substituted "or an agency with jurisdiction" for "or a State agency" and inserted "bond," before "sentence".

Subsec. (d)(7)(A)(i). Pub. L. 114–94, §4005(c)(3)(A)(ii), substituted "who was arrested for, plead guilty to, or" for "who plead guilty or".

Subsec. (d)(7)(A)(ii)(I). Pub. L. 114–94, §4005(c)(3)(A)(iii), inserted "at a testing location" after "twice per day".

Subsec. (d)(7)(D). Pub. L. 114–94, §4005(c)(3)(B), struck out second period at end.

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 114–94, §4005(d), amended subsec. (e) generally. Prior to amendment, section provided for award of distracted driving grants.

Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 114–94, §4005(e)(1), added par. (2) and struck out former par. (2). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "The amount of a grant awarded to a State for a fiscal year under this subsection may not exceed 25 percent of the amount apportioned to the State for fiscal year 2003 under section 402."

Subsec. (f)(4)(A)(iv). Pub. L. 114–94, §4014(3)(B), substituted "including" for "such as the" and struck out "developed under subsection (g)" after "safety messages".

Subsec. (f)(4)(C). Pub. L. 114–94, §4005(e)(2), added subpar. (C).

Subsec. (f)(6). Pub. L. 114–94, §4005(e)(3), added par. (6).

Subsec. (g)(2)(A). Pub. L. 114–94, §4005(f)(1)(A), substituted "18" for "21".

Subsec. (g)(2)(B). Pub. L. 114–94, §4005(f)(1)(B), amended subpar. (B) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (B) related to state compliance with the 2-stage licensing process.

Subsec. (g)(6). Pub. L. 114–94, §4005(f)(2), added par. (6).

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 114–94, §4005(g), added subsec. (h).

2012—Pub. L. 112–141 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section related to occupant protection incentive grants.

2011—Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 112–30, §121(c)(1)(A), substituted "9" for "8".

Subsec. (a)(4)(C). Pub. L. 112–30, §121(c)(1)(B), substituted "fifth through ninth" for "fifth through eighth".

2010—Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 111–147, §421(c)(1)(A), substituted "8" for "6".

Subsec. (a)(4)(C). Pub. L. 111–147, §421(c)(1)(B), substituted "fifth through eighth" for "fifth and sixth".

2005—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 109–59, §2004(a)(1), substituted "SAFETEA–LU" for "Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century".

Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 109–59, §2004(a)(2), substituted "2003" for "1997".

Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 109–59, §2004(a)(3), inserted "beginning after September 30, 2003," after "years" in subpars. (A) to (C).

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 109–59, §2004(c), substituted "100 percent" for "25 percent" and "2003" for "1997".

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 109–59, §2002(e), struck out heading and text of subsec. (d). Text read as follows: "Funds authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section in a fiscal year shall be subject to a deduction not to exceed 5 percent for the necessary costs of administering the provisions of this section."

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2021 Amendment

Pub. L. 117–58, div. B, title IV, §24105(c), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 806, provided that: "The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect with respect to any grant application or State highway safety plan submitted under chapter 4 of title 23, United States Code, for fiscal year 2024 or thereafter."

Effective Date of 2015 Amendment

Except as otherwise provided, amendment by Pub. L. 114–94 effective Oct. 1, 2015, see section 1003 of Pub. L. 114–94, set out as a note under section 5313 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

Amendment by section 4005 of Pub. L. 114–94 effective Oct. 1, 2016, see section 4015 of Pub. L. 114–94, set out as a note under under section 164 of this title.

Effective Date of 2012 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 112–141 effective Oct. 1, 2012, see section 3(a) of Pub. L. 112–141, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 2012 Amendment note under section 101 of this title.

Effective Date of 2005 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 109–59 effective Oct. 1, 2005, see section 2022 of Pub. L. 109–59, set out as a note under section 402 of this title.

Crash Data

Pub. L. 117–58, div. B, title IV, §24108, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 807, provided that:

"(a) In General.—Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act [Nov. 15, 2021], the Secretary [of Transportation] shall revise the crash data collection system to include the collection of crash report data elements that distinguish individual personal conveyance vehicles, such as electric scooters and bicycles, from other vehicles involved in a crash.

"(b) Coordination.—In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary may coordinate with States to update the Model Minimum Uniform Crash Criteria to provide guidance to States regarding the collection of information and data elements for the crash data collection system.

"(c) Vulnerable Road Users.—

"(1) Update.—Based on the information contained in the vulnerable road user safety assessments required by subsection (f) of section 32302 of title 49, United States Code (as added by section 24213(b)(2)), the Secretary shall modify existing crash data collection systems to include the collection of additional crash report data elements relating to vulnerable road user safety.

"(2) Injury health data.—The Secretary shall coordinate with the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to develop and implement a plan for States to combine highway crash data and injury health data to produce a national database of pedestrian injuries and fatalities, disaggregated by demographic characteristics.

"(d) State Electronic Data Collection.—

"(1) Definitions.—In this subsection:

"(A) Electronic data transfer.—The term 'electronic data transfer' means a protocol for automated electronic transfer of State crash data to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

"(B) State.—The term 'State' means—

"(i) each of the 50 States;

"(ii) the District of Columbia;

"(iii) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico;

"(iv) the United States Virgin Islands;

"(v) Guam;

"(vi) American Samoa;

"(vii) the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; and

"(viii) the Secretary of the Interior, acting on behalf of an Indian Tribe.

"(2) Establishment of program.—The Secretary shall establish a program under which the Secretary shall—

"(A) provide grants for the modernization of State data collection systems to enable full electronic data transfer under paragraph (3); and

"(B) upgrade the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration system to manage and support State electronic data transfers relating to crashes under paragraph (4).

"(3) State grants.—

"(A) In general.—The Secretary shall provide grants to States to upgrade and standardize State crash data systems to enable electronic data collection, intrastate data sharing, and electronic data transfers to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to increase the accuracy, timeliness, and accessibility of the data, including data relating to fatalities involving vulnerable road users.

"(B) Eligibility.—A State shall be eligible to receive a grant under this paragraph if the State submits to the Secretary an application, at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, that includes a plan to implement full electronic data transfer to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration by not later than 5 years after the date on which the grant is provided.

"(C) Use of funds.—A grant provided under this paragraph may be used for the costs of—

"(i) equipment to upgrade a statewide crash data repository;

"(ii) adoption of electronic crash reporting by law enforcement agencies; and

"(iii) increasing alignment of State crash data with the latest Model Minimum Uniform Crash Criteria.

"(D) Federal share.—The Federal share of the cost of a project funded with a grant under this paragraph may be up to 80 percent.

"(4) National highway traffic safety administration system upgrade.—The Secretary shall manage and support State electronic data transfers relating to vehicle crashes by—

"(A) increasing the capacity of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration system; and

"(B) making State crash data accessible to the public.

"(e) Crash Investigation Sampling System.—The Secretary may use funds made available to carry out this section to enhance the collection of crash data by upgrading the Crash Investigation Sampling System to include—

"(1) additional program sites;

"(2) an expanded scope that includes all crash types; and

"(3) on-scene investigation protocols.

"(f) Authorization of Appropriations.—There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $150,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026, to remain available for a period of 3 fiscal years following the fiscal year for which the amounts are appropriated."

National Priority Safety Program Grant Eligibility

Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title IV, §4010, Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1511, as amended by Pub. L. 117–58, div. B, title IV, §24105(b), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 806, provided that: "Not later than 60 days after the date on which the Secretary [of Transportation] awards grants under section 405 of title 23, United States Code, the Secretary shall make available on a publicly available Internet Web site of the Department of Transportation—

"(1) an identification of—

"(A) the States that were awarded grants under such section;

"(B) the States that applied and were not awarded grants under such section; and

"(C) the States that did not apply for a grant under such section; and

"(2) a list of all deficiencies that made a State ineligible for a grant under such section for each State under paragraph (1)(B)."

Child Safety and Child Booster Seat Incentive Grants

Pub. L. 109–59, title II, §2011, Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1538, as amended by Pub. L. 111–147, title IV, §421(j)(1), Mar. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 85; Pub. L. 112–30, title I, §121(j)(1), Sept. 16, 2011, 125 Stat. 348, related to child safety and child booster seat incentive grants, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 112–141, div. C, title I, §31109(h), July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 757.

Child Passenger Protection Education Grants

Pub. L. 105–178, title II, §2003(b), June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 327, authorized the Secretary to make grants to States to implement child passenger protection programs, required reports from States and the Secretary regarding those programs, and authorized appropriations for fiscal years 2000 and 2001.

§406. General requirements for Federal assistance

(a) Definition of Funded Project.—In this section, the term "funded project" means a project funded, in whole or in part, by a grant provided under section 402 or 405.

(b) Regulatory Authority.—Each funded project shall be carried out in accordance with applicable regulations promulgated by the Secretary.

(c) State Matching Requirements.—If a grant provided under this chapter requires any State to share in the cost of a funded project, the aggregate of the expenditures made by the State (including any political subdivision of the State) for highway safety activities during a fiscal year, exclusive of Federal funds, for carrying out the funded project (other than expenditures for planning or administration) shall be credited toward the non-Federal share of the cost of any other funded project (other than planning and administration) during that fiscal year, regardless of whether those expenditures were made in connection with the project.

(d) Grant Application and Deadline.—

(1) Applications.—To be eligible to receive a grant under this chapter, a State shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.

(2) Deadline.—The Secretary shall establish a single deadline for the submission of applications under paragraph (1) to enable the provision of grants under this chapter early in each applicable fiscal year beginning after the date of submission.

(e) Distribution of Funds to States.—Not later than 60 days after the later of the start of a fiscal year or the date of enactment of any appropriations Act making funds available to carry out this chapter for that fiscal year, the Secretary shall distribute to each State the portion of those funds to which the State is entitled for the applicable fiscal year.

(Added Pub. L. 117–58, div. B, title IV, §24101(d)(1)(B), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 784.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 406, added Pub. L. 93–643, §126(a), Jan. 4, 1975, 88 Stat. 2291; amended Pub. L. 94–280, title II, §205, May 5, 1976, 90 Stat. 453; Pub. L. 95–599, title I, §129(g), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2708; Pub. L. 109–59, title II, §2005(a), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1524, related to safety belt performance grants, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 112–141, §3(a), div. C, title I, §31109(b), July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 413, 756, effective Oct. 1, 2012.

§407. Discovery and admission as evidence of certain reports and surveys

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, reports, surveys, schedules, lists, or data compiled or collected for the purpose of identifying, evaluating, or planning the safety enhancement of potential accident sites, hazardous roadway conditions, or railway-highway crossings, pursuant to sections 130, 144, and 148 of this title or for the purpose of developing any highway safety construction improvement project which may be implemented utilizing Federal-aid highway funds shall not be subject to discovery or admitted into evidence in a Federal or State court proceeding or considered for other purposes in any action for damages arising from any occurrence at a location mentioned or addressed in such reports, surveys, schedules, lists, or data.

(Added Pub. L. 100–17, title I, §132(a), Apr. 2, 1987, 101 Stat. 170, §409; amended Pub. L. 102–240, title I, §1035(a), Dec. 18, 1991, 105 Stat. 1978; Pub. L. 104–59, title III, §323, Nov. 28, 1995, 109 Stat. 591; Pub. L. 109–59, title I, §1401(a)(3)(C), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1225; renumbered §407, Pub. L. 117–58, div. B, title IV, §24101(d)(1)(A), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 784.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 407, added Pub. L. 95–599, title II, §208(a), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2732, related to innovative project grants, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 112–141, §3(a), div. C, title I, §31109(c), July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 413, 756, effective Oct. 1, 2012.

Amendments

2021—Pub. L. 117–58, which directed the amendment of this chapter by renumbering section 409 "and" section 407, was executed by renumbering section 409 as this section as if "and" had read "as", to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

§408. Agency accountability

(a) Triennial State Management Reviews.—

(1) In general.—Except as provided under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall conduct a review of each State highway safety program at least once every 3 years.

(2) Exceptions.—The Secretary may conduct reviews of the highway safety programs of the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands as often as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.

(3) Components.—Reviews under this subsection shall include—

(A) a management evaluation of all grant programs funded under this chapter;

(B) an assessment of State data collection and evaluation relating to performance measures established by the Secretary;

(C) a comparison of State efforts under subparagraphs (A) and (B) to best practices and programs that have been evaluated for effectiveness; and

(D) the development of recommendations on how each State could—

(i) improve the management and oversight of its grant activities; and

(ii) provide a management and oversight plan for such grant programs.

(b) Recommendations Before Submission.—In order to provide guidance to State highway safety agencies on matters that should be addressed in the goals and initiatives of the State highway safety program before the program is submitted for review, the Secretary shall provide data-based recommendations to each State at least 90 days before the date on which the program is to be submitted for approval.

(c) State Program Review.—The Secretary shall—

(1) conduct a program improvement review of a highway safety program under this chapter of a State that does not make substantial progress over a 3-year period in meeting its priority program goals; and

(2) provide technical assistance and safety program requirements to be incorporated in the State highway safety program for any goal not achieved.

(d) Regional Harmonization.—The Secretary and the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation shall undertake an administrative review of the practices and procedures of the management reviews and program reviews of State highway safety programs under this chapter conducted by the regional offices of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and prepare a written report of best practices and procedures for use by the regional offices in conducting such reviews. The report shall be completed within 180 days after the date of enactment of this section.

(e) Best Practices Guidelines.—

(1) Uniform guidelines.—The Secretary shall issue uniform management review guidelines and program review guidelines based on the report under subsection (d). Each regional office shall use the guidelines in executing its State administrative review duties under this section.

(2) Publication.—The Secretary shall make publicly available on the Web site (or successor electronic facility) of the Administration the following documents upon their completion:

(A) The Secretary's management review guidelines and program review guidelines.

(B) All State highway safety programs submitted under this chapter.

(C) State annual accomplishment reports.

(D) The Administration's Summary Report of findings from Management Reviews and Improvement Plans.

(3) Reports to state highway safety agencies.—The Secretary may not make publicly available a program, report, or review under paragraph (2) that is directed to a State highway safety agency until after the date on which the program, report, or review is submitted to that agency under this chapter.

(f) Tracking Process.—The Secretary shall develop a process to identify and mitigate possible systemic issues across States and regional offices by reviewing oversight findings and recommended actions identified in triennial State management reviews.

(Added Pub. L. 109–59, title II, §2008(a), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1533, §412; amended Pub. L. 112–141, div. C, title I, §31107, July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 755; Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title IV, §4006, Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1510; renumbered §408, Pub. L. 117–58, div. B, title IV, §24101(d)(1)(A), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 784.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 408, added Pub. L. 97–364, title I, §101(a), Oct. 25, 1982, 96 Stat. 1738; amended Pub. L. 98–363, §§4, 7, July 17, 1984, 98 Stat. 436, 438; Pub. L. 100–17, title II, §203(a), (b), Apr. 2, 1987, 101 Stat. 219; Pub. L. 109–59, title II, §2006(a), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1527, related to State traffic safety information system improvements, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 112–141, §3(a), div. C, title I, §31109(d), July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 413, 756, effective Oct. 1, 2012.

Amendments

2021—Pub. L. 117–58, which directed the amendment of this chapter by renumbering section 412 "and" section 408, was executed by renumbering section 412 as this section as if "and" had read "as", to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

[§409. Renumbered §407]

[§§410, 411. Repealed. Pub. L. 112–141, div. C, title I, §31109(e), (f), July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 757]

Section 410, added Pub. L. 100–690, title IX, §9002(a), Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4521; amended Pub. L. 101–516, title III, §336, Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 2186; Pub. L. 102–240, title II, §2004(a), Dec. 18, 1991, 105 Stat. 2073; Pub. L. 102–388, title VI, §§601–606, Oct. 6, 1992, 106 Stat. 1569, 1570; Pub. L. 104–59, title III, §324, Nov. 28, 1995, 109 Stat. 591; Pub. L. 105–18, title II, §8003, June 12, 1997, 111 Stat. 195; Pub. L. 105–130, §6(b), Dec. 1, 1997, 111 Stat. 2558; Pub. L. 105–178, title II, §2004(a), June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 328; Pub. L. 108–88, §6(e)(1), Sept. 30, 2003, 117 Stat. 1120; Pub. L. 108–310, §6(e)(1), Sept. 30, 2004, 118 Stat. 1152; Pub. L. 109–59, title II, §2007(a), (b), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1529; Pub. L. 110–244, title III, §303(c)(2), (3), June 6, 2008, 122 Stat. 1619; Pub. L. 111–147, title IV, §421(f)(1), Mar. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 85; Pub. L. 112–30, title I, §121(f)(1), Sept. 16, 2011, 125 Stat. 347, related to alcohol-impaired driving countermeasures.

Section 411, added Pub. L. 105–178, title II, §2005(a), June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 332; amended Pub. L. 110–244, title III, §303(c)(4), June 6, 2008, 122 Stat. 1619, related to State highway safety data improvements.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of Repeal

Repeal effective Oct. 1, 2012, see section 3(a) of Pub. L. 112–141, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 2012 Amendment note under section 101 of this title.

Repeal of Programs

Pub. L. 112–141, div. C, title I, §31109(a), July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 756, provided that: "A repeal made by this section [repealing sections 406 to 408, 410, and 411 of this title and repealing provisions set out as notes under sections 402, 403, and 405 of this title] shall not affect amounts apportioned or allocated before the effective date of such repeal [Oct. 1, 2012, see section 3(a) of Pub. L. 112–141, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 2012 Amendment note under section 101 of this title], provided that such apportioned or allocated funds continue to be subject to the requirements to which such funds were subject under the repealed section as in effect on the day before the date of the repeal."

[§412. Renumbered §408]