Montgomery, AL – Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded 13 grants totaling nearly $5.8 million to support traffic safety initiatives across the state. The funding will support programs focused on law enforcement, driver education, crash prevention, technology and public awareness.
The grants will be distributed among state agencies, educational institutions and nonprofit organizations to address traffic safety concerns, including impaired driving, speeding, distracted driving and seat belt use.
“Dangerous behaviors such as impaired driving, speeding and failure to wear seat belts often have deadly consequences,” Ivey said. “I am pleased to award these grants that will support a comprehensive effort to prevent automobile crashes and ensure drivers follow the state’s traffic laws.”
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) received three grants totaling approximately $1.9 million to support traffic enforcement initiatives.
An $800,000 grant will fund the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program, which allows officers to work additional shifts during periods when crashes involving speeding and alcohol are more prevalent.
A second grant of $502,954 will support the Drug Recognition Expert Program, which trains officers to identify motorists who may be impaired by drugs or affected by medical or mental conditions.
The agency also received $600,000 for its Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Enforcement Program. The funding will support additional enforcement shifts in areas identified as having high concentrations of traffic collisions.
Alabama Department of Public Health
The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) received four grants totaling approximately $1.1 million for programs addressing emergency response, child passenger safety and distracted driving.
A $60,000 grant will support software maintenance and technical assistance for the Alabama 3-PCR Assistance Program, a patient care reporting system used by Emergency Medical Services personnel responding to traffic crashes.
Two grants totaling $836,406 will support the Child Passenger Safety Program. The funding includes awards of $400,000 and $436,406 to provide education on proper child restraint use and car seats for eligible individuals who have received citations.
An additional $201,022 will support public education efforts addressing the risks associated with distracted driving.
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama received three grants totaling approximately $2.1 million for its Center for Advanced Public Safety.
The funding will support research into seat belt usage rates, data collection and software systems used by law enforcement agencies, and traffic safety outreach programs.
These initiatives are intended to provide information and resources that can assist agencies in identifying traffic safety concerns and developing prevention strategies.
Additional Traffic Safety Programs
Three additional organizations received funding for specialized traffic safety initiatives.
The Office of Prosecution Services was awarded $245,476 to continue its Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor Grant program. The program provides prosecutors and local law enforcement agencies with training, legal research and technical assistance related to traffic safety cases.
Children’s Hospital of Alabama received $195,165 to provide parents and caregivers with educational resources aimed at preventing vehicle-related heatstroke involving children.
SADD Inc. was awarded $195,534 for its Driving Change Through Youth Leadership Program, which focuses on reducing risky driving behaviors among teenagers and preventing crashes and fatalities involving young drivers.
Grant Administration and Funding
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) will administer the grants using federal funding provided through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said the programs use different approaches to address a common public safety concern.
“These programs employ different strategies, but they all have the shared goal of reducing traffic injuries and fatalities in Alabama,” Boswell said. “ADECA is pleased to join with Gov. Kay Ivey and these organizations in an effort to make our highways safer.”
ADECA administers numerous state and federally funded programs supporting law enforcement, victim services, economic development, water resource management, energy conservation and recreation.
The 13 grants represent a statewide investment in traffic safety efforts, with funding directed toward enforcement, research, education and prevention programs intended to reduce traffic-related injuries and fatalities throughout Alabama.
