New York Gov. Cuomo announces more than $37M for highway safety initiatives

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New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced more than $37.2 million in federal highway safety grants have been awarded to more than 500 programs across the state.

For highway safety initiatives, the grants will provide funding for local, state, and non-profits agencies and their projects geared towards highway safety, child passenger safety, and police traffic services.

“The safety of our roadways is critical to communities in every corner of this great state, and we’re working to avoid needless tragedies caused by dangerous and reckless driving,” Cuomo said. “This funding will support critical traffic enforcement, community programs, and child passenger safety initiatives that will help protect everyone on the road and make our state’s roadways safer for all.”

The funding includes $32.1 million in highway safety grants that will cover efforts from education initiatives, traffic records improvements, crash reconstruction, and railroad crossing safety, as well as programs covering distracted driving, drowsy and impaired driving, and slow-moving vehicles. Another $2.6 million will fund the child passenger safety program, and $2.5 million will fund police traffic services such as participation in the national Click It or Ticket seat belt mobilization.

Funding is provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and administered by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee.

Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner and GTSC Chair Mark J.F. Schroeder said, “New York is committed to improving safety on our roadways, and we proudly support these critical programs, which help protect motorists, passengers, and pedestrians throughout the state. This funding makes it possible for law enforcement and community groups to conduct unique and effective education and enforcement initiatives that help save lives and keep New York’s roadways as safe as possible.”