**GAO-08-398**                      Published: Mar 14, 2008. Publicly Released: Mar 14, 2008.                  

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## Highlights

 

In 2005, the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) included authorizations of nearly $2.2 billion for safety incentive grant programs to assist states in their efforts to reduce traffic fatalities. Administered by the Department of Transportation's (DOT) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), five of these programs provide incentive grants to states to implement legislation governing the use of safety belts and child safety seats, and promote activities to reduce alcohol-impaired driving, improve motorcycle training and awareness, and improve traffic safety information systems. To help Congress prepare for the reauthorization of the surface transportation programs in 2009, this report provides information on (1) NHTSA's status in awarding and overseeing states' use of these five grants programs, (2) activities states have conducted using the grants and issues they have faced in applying for and implementing the grants, and (3) how NHTSA plans to evaluate the results of the grant programs and implications for reauthorizing the programs. To conduct this work, GAO interviewed DOT and state officials, analyzed safety reports from 50 states, and analyzed grant data from DOT and 7 selected states. DOT officials generally agreed with the findings of the report and offered technical corrections that were incorporated, as appropriate.

 

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## Topics

Transportation

Eligibility criteriaFederal aid for transportationFederal grantsstate relationsFunds managementGrant administrationGrant monitoringGrants to statesGround transportationHighway safetyMotor vehicle safetyPerformance measuresProgram evaluationProgram managementReporting requirementsSafety regulationSafety standardsState programsTraffic accidentsTransportation costsTransportation policiesTransportation safetyProgram implementation