GHSA Applauds NHTSA Final Rule Streamlining State Highway Safety Grants

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Caroline Cash, 240-409-6375

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) applauds the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) final rule updating public participation and engagement reporting requirements in state highway safety grant programs. The rule restores needed flexibility for State Highway Safety Offices (SHSOs) by emphasizing safety outcomes instead of overly prescriptive process requirements.

GHSA supports the final rule because it reduces unnecessary administrative burdens and refocuses federal oversight on results, gives states greater latitude to engage stakeholders based on local needs, and keeps attention on meaningful, data-driven strategies to reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities. GHSA and 20 states submitted separate comments to the proposed rule in support of these changes and a renewed focus on safety results.

For too long, states have faced growing administrative demands that divert time and resources away from delivering lifesaving behavioral safety programs. By streamlining the reporting framework, NHTSA is helping ensure that federal grant funding can be directed more effectively toward implementation, innovation and collaboration with local partners. That means safety leaders can focus on the work that matters most – preventing crashes and saving lives.

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