November 24, 2014

Manchin and Rockefeller Announce Nearly $291,000 to Improve Highway Safety Programs in WV

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller announced $290,895.22 in federal funding to the West Virginia Governor’s Highway Safety Office to support programs that will improve driver behavior and performance while helping reduce motor vehicle-related deaths and injuries. The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

“As the holiday season officially kicks off this week, it is one of our highest priorities to make sure drivers and passengers on our roads and highways arrive at their destinations safely,” Senator Manchin said. “I am pleased that this funding will support programs to help curb dangerous driver behaviors, prevent traffic accidents and keep our residents and travelers safe.” 

“These grants are essential to making sure our roads stay safe for drivers and passengers,” said Rockefeller, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. “Improving the safety of West Virginia’s roads has always been one of my top priorities. This funding will help the Highway Safety Office implement critical public safety initiatives, including efforts to guard against distracted and impaired driving.”

Individual award amounts are listed below:

$215,208.94 - Impaired Driving Countermeasures Program: Funding will be used to reduce driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

$68,905.01 – Occupant Protection Program: Funding will be used to reduce deaths and injuries resulting from the nonuse and misuse of seatbelts.

$6,781.27 – Motorcyclist Safety Program: Funding will be used to reduce the number of single-and multi-vehicle crashes involving motorcyclists. 

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