TEA-21 State Highway Safety Programs

Section 402 State and Community Highway Safety Grants


History, Distrubution and Administration

The State and Community Highway Safety Grant Program, commonly referred to as Section 402, was initially authorized by the Highway Safety Act of 1966. Funds are distributed to all states according to a formula, based 75% on road miles and 25% on population. States receive no less than 1/2 of 1% of the total apportionment, while the program for the Indian country receives 3/4 of 1% and the U.S. territories receive 1/4 of 1%. The program is jointly administered by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) at the federal level. The program is administered by the designated State Highway Safety Office (SHSO) at the state level.

Purpose

The program is intended to assist states and communities in the development and implementation of highway safety programs designed to reduce traffic crashes, deaths, injuries and property damage.

Requirements

NHTSA is required periodically to develop uniform guidelines on effective highway safety programs in national priority areas. NHTSA then encourages states to spend 402 funds in those areas. There are nine priorities:

  1. Alcohol countermeasures
  2. Occupant protection
  3. Police traffic services (e.g. enforcement)
  4. Emergency medical services
  5. Ttraffic records
  6. Motorcycle safety
  7. Pedestrian and bicycle safety (jointly administered by FHWA and NHTSA)
  8. Roadway safety (administered by FHWA)
  9. Speed control (jointly administered by NHTSA and FHWA)

States may fund additional non-priority activities (such as school bus safety) if they provide additional justification and receive NHTSA's approval. In Fiscal Years 1999 and 2000, states were able to use 402 funds to purchase radio and TV time. A minimum of 40% of a state's 402 funds must be expended for the benefit of local governments. Funds are generally available for obligation for up to three years.

States are required to prepare annual Performance and Highway Safety Plans for review by NHTSA and FHWA. States must perform problem identification and then establish performance goals and objectives in order to address the identified problems. At the end of the year, states must submit an annual report on the progress made toward reaching the identified state goals and objectives.

Funding

Current and Previous Fiscal Year Funding Levels >>