In an effort to enhance safety on the nation’s highways, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is providing $1.8 million in funding to non-governmental partner organizations who combat impaired driving and deal with other safety issues.

"This funding will help NHTSA and our partners improve highway safety for all, and will provide critical leadership for reducing the incidence of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol," said James Owens, Acting Administrator of NHTSA.

In addition to impaired driving, the funding will support the 911 network, enhance safety messaging for young drivers, and give technical assistance to state officials on a wide range of traffic safety issues.

The five cooperative agreements are with the following organizations:

National District Attorneys Association: A five-year agreement ($590,536 in FY19, $3 million total) with NDAA to support its National Traffic Law Center. NTLC will develop or update prosecutor training and technical assistance in traffic safety areas such as toxicology, Drug Recognition Experts, Standard Field Sobriety Testing, crash investigation, and alcohol breath testing devices.

Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America: A three-year agreement for $300,000 with CADCA to reduce alcohol- and drug-impaired driving through development of a best-practices report providing strategies for communications and outreach at the local level.

National Association of State 911 Administrators: A five-year agreement ($500,000 in FY19, $1.7 million total) with NASNA. This project will enable NASNA to provide technical support and best practices to improve the effectiveness of the 911 network.  

National Organizations for Youth Safety: A two-year agreement for $150,000 with NOYS to develop and disseminate social media messaging targeting 16- to 24-year-olds during the times of the year most dangerous for young drivers: the winter holiday season, prom/graduation, and summer.

National Conference of State Legislatures: A five-year agreement ($241,289 for FY19, $1,247,172 total) with NCSL to provide information and technical assistance related to reducing traffic crashes, injuries, and fatalities.