Biden administration and DOT to Allocates $180 Million in Grants to Enhance Roadway Safety

In a significant move to prioritize roadway safety, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has announced the availability of over $180 million in grants. These funds, part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, aim to support various initiatives promoting commercial motor vehicle (CMV) safety-related activities.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of these grants in enhancing road safety for all, stating, “When we improve technology, training, and tools to make our roadways safer for truck and bus drivers, everyone benefits.” He further highlighted the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to allocating these funds to enhance commercial vehicle driving safety while providing opportunities for veterans and military families to pursue careers in this field.

The grants are distributed through five discretionary grant programs, each with distinct objectives:

1. High Priority Innovative Technology Deployment Grant Program: This program focuses on supporting projects that advance technological capabilities, promote intelligent transportation systems, and improve the safety and productivity of CMVs and commercial drivers.
2. High Priority Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Grant Program: Funding from this program goes towards increasing public awareness and education on CMV safety, targeting unsafe driving in high-risk crash corridors, and demonstrating new technologies to enhance CMV safety.
3. Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Training Grant Program: Organizations providing CMV operator training receive funding under this program, with a specific focus on enhancing training access for current and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces, their families, and underserved communities.
4. Commercial Driver’s License Program Implementation Grant Program: This program aims to implement and enhance the national commercial driver’s license (CDL) program, ensuring each CDL driver has only one driving record and licensing document.
5. High Priority Enforcement Training and Support Grant Program: Funding from this program supports the development and delivery of motor carrier safety training to non-Federal employees involved in CMV enforcement activities, aiming to increase awareness and education on CMV safety.

FMCSA Acting Deputy Administrator Sue Lawless emphasized the importance of collaboration in achieving safety goals, stating, “FMCSA’s core mission is safety. That’s a big job, and it’s one we cannot do alone.” She highlighted the significance of grant funding in supporting safety partners across the country to reduce crashes involving large trucks and buses.

The grant applications for the fiscal year 2024 cycle must be submitted by 5:00 pm Eastern Time on Friday, Apr. 19, 2024. Detailed information about the grant opportunities, including funding amounts, application requirements, and eligibility criteria, can be found on FMCSA’s Grants website and Grants.gov. These initiatives align with the National Roadway Safety Strategy and aim to advance the Safe System Approach to enhance roadway safety nationwide.

For more information visit the fmcsa website.