Improving Driver Safety Act of 2014

To amend title 23, United States Code, to improve highway safety and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Improving Driver Safety Act of 2014 2. Distracted driving incentive grants Section 405(e) (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting includes distracted driving issues as part of the State’s driver’s license examination and any State that (2) in paragraph (3)— (A) in subparagraph (B), by inserting and (B) by striking subparagraph (C); and (C) by redesignating subparagraph (D) as subparagraph (C); (3) in paragraph (4)(C), by striking section 31152 section 31136 (4) by amending paragraph (6) to read as follows: (6) Distracted driving enforcement grants (A) In general The Secretary may use up to 50 percent of the amounts available for grants under this subsection to award grants to any State that— (i) in fiscal year 2015— (I) has a basic text messaging statute, as determined by the Secretary, that— (aa) is applicable to drivers of all ages; and (bb) makes violation of the basic text messaging statute a primary offense; (II) participates in the annual distracted driving law enforcement mobilization coordinated by the Secretary; and (III) is otherwise ineligible for a grant under this subsection; (ii) in fiscal year 2016— (I) meets the requirements of clause (i); (II) imposes increased fines for repeat violations; and (III) has a statute that prohibits a driver who is younger than 18 years of age from using a personal wireless communications device while driving. (B) Use of grant funds (i) In general Subject to clauses (ii) and (iii), amounts received by a State under subparagraph (A) may be used for activities related to the enforcement of distracted driving laws. (ii) Fiscal year 2015 In fiscal year 2015, up to 15 percent of the amounts received by a State under subparagraph (A) may be used for any eligible project or activity under section 402. (iii) Fiscal year 2016 In fiscal year 2016, up to 25 percent of the amounts received by a State under subparagraph (A) may be used for any eligible project or activity under section 402. . 3. Barriers to data collection report Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shall submit a report to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives (1) identifies any legal and technical barriers to capturing adequate data on the prevalence of wireless communications devices while driving; and (2) provides recommendations on how to address such barriers.

Summary: Improving Driver Safety Act of 2014 - Revises distracted driving incentive grant program eligibility requirements to require the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to award such grants to states that include distracted driving issues as part of their driver's license examination. Authorizes the Secretary to use up to 50% of amounts available for grants to states that: (1) in FY2015 have a basic text messaging statute for drivers of all ages, make violation of the statute a primary offense, and participate in the Secretary's annual distracted driving law enforcement mobilization; and (2) in FY2016 meet the aforementioned requirements, impose increased fines for repeat violations, and have a statute that prohibits a driver younger than 18 from using a personal wireless communications device while driving. Authorizes states to use grant funds for: (1) enforcement of distracted driving laws, and (2) highway safety program projects. Directs the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to report to Congress on any legal and technical barriers to capturing data on the prevalence of wireless communications devices while driving, including recommendations on how to address those barriers.