§ 402. Highway safety programs
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(a) Program Required.— (1) In general.— Each State shall have a highway safety program, approved by the Secretary, that is designed to reduce traffic accidents and the resulting deaths, injuries, and property damage. (2) Uniform guidelines.— Programs required under paragraph (1) shall comply with uniform guidelines, promulgated by the Secretary and expressed in terms of performance criteria, that— (A) include programs— (i) to reduce injuries and deaths resulting from motor vehicles being driven in excess of posted speed limits; (ii) to encourage the proper use of occupant protection devices (including the use of safety belts and child restraint systems) by occupants of motor vehicles; (iii) to reduce injuries and deaths resulting from persons driving motor vehicles while impaired by alcohol or a controlled substance; (iv) to prevent accidents and reduce injuries and deaths resulting from accidents involving motor vehicles and motorcycles; (v) to reduce injuries and deaths resulting from accidents involving school buses; (vi) to reduce accidents resulting from unsafe driving behavior (including aggressive or fatigued driving and distracted driving arising from the use of electronic devices in vehicles); and (vii) to improve law enforcement services in motor vehicle accident prevention, traffic supervision, and post-accident procedures; (B) improve driver performance, including— (i) driver education; (ii) driver testing to determine proficiency to operate motor vehicles; and (iii) driver examinations (physical, mental, and driver licensing); (C) improve pedestrian performance and bicycle safety; (D) include provisions for— (i) an effective record system of accidents (including resulting injuries and deaths); (ii) accident investigations to determine the probable causes of accidents, injuries, and deaths; (iii) vehicle registration, operation, and inspection; and (iv) emergency services; and (E) to the extent determined appropriate by the Secretary, are applicable to federally administered areas where a Federal department or agency controls the highways or supervises traffic operations. (b) Administration of State Programs.— (1) Administrative requirements.— The Secretary may not approve a State highway safety program under this section which does not— (A) provide that the Governor of the State shall be responsible for the administration of the program through a State highway safety agency which shall have adequate powers and be suitably equipped and organized to carry out, to the satisfaction of the Secretary, such program; (B) authorize political subdivisions of the State to carry out local highway safety programs within their jurisdictions as a part of the State highway safety program if such local highway safety programs are approved by the Governor and are in accordance with the minimum standards established by the Secretary under this section; (C) except as provided in paragraph (3), provide that at least 40 percent of all Federal funds apportioned under this section to the State for any fiscal year will be expended by the political subdivisions of the State, including Indian tribal governments, in carrying out local highway safety programs authorized in accordance with subparagraph (B); (D) provide adequate and reasonable access for the safe and convenient movement of individuals with disabilities, including those in wheelchairs, across curbs constructed or replaced on or after July 1, 1976 , at all pedestrian crosswalks throughout the State;(E) beginning on the first day of the first fiscal year after the date of enactment of the Motor Vehicle and Highway Safety Improvement Act of 2012 in which a State submits its highway safety plan under subsection (f), provide for a data-driven traffic safety enforcement program to prevent traffic violations, crashes, and crash fatalities and injuries in areas most at risk for such incidents, to the satisfaction of the Secretary; (F) provide satisfactory assurances that the State will implement activities in support of national highway safety goals to reduce motor vehicle related fatalities that also reflect the primary data-related crash factors within a State as identified by the State highway safety planning process, including— (i) national law enforcement mobilizations and high-visibility law enforcement mobilizations coordinated by the Secretary; (ii) sustained enforcement of statutes addressing impaired driving, occupant protection, and driving in excess of posted speed limits; (iii) an annual statewide safety belt use survey in accordance with criteria established by the Secretary for the measurement of State safety belt use rates to ensure that the measurements are accurate and representative; (iv) development of statewide data systems to provide timely and effective data analysis to support allocation of highway safety resources; and (v) ensuring that the State will coordinate its highway safety plan, data collection, and information systems with the State strategic highway safety plan (as defined in section 148(a)). (2) Waiver.— The Secretary may waive the requirement of paragraph (1)(C), in whole or in part, for a fiscal year for any State whenever the Secretary determines that there is an insufficient number of local highway safety programs to justify the expenditure in the State of such percentage of Federal funds during the fiscal year. (c) Use of Funds.— (1) In general.— Funds authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section shall be used to aid the States to conduct the highway safety programs approved in accordance with subsection (a), including development and implementation of manpower training programs, and of demonstration programs that the Secretary determines will contribute directly to the reduction of accidents, and deaths and injuries resulting therefrom. (2) Apportionment.— Except for amounts identified in section 403(f), funds described in paragraph (1) shall be apportioned 75 per centum in the ratio which the population of each State bears to the total population of all the States, as shown by the latest available Federal census, and 25 per centum in the ratio which the public road mileage in each State bears to the total public road mileage in all States. For the purposes of this subsection, a “public road” means any road under the jurisdiction of and maintained by a public authority and open to public travel. Public road mileage as used in this subsection shall be determined as of the end of the calendar year preceding the year in which the funds are apportioned and shall be certified to by the Governor of the State and subject to approval by the Secretary. The annual apportionment to each State shall not be less than three-quarters of 1 percent of the total apportionment, except that the apportionment to the Secretary of the Interior shall not be less than 2 percent of the total apportionment and the apportionments to the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands shall not be less than one-quarter of 1 per centum of the total apportionment. A highway safety program approved by the Secretary shall not include any requirement that a State implement such a program by adopting or enforcing any law, rule, or regulation based on a guideline promulgated by the Secretary under this section requiring any motorcycle operator eighteen years of age or older or passenger eighteen years of age or older to wear a safety helmet when operating or riding a motorcycle on the streets and highways of that State. Implementation of a highway safety program under this section shall not be construed to require the Secretary to require compliance with every uniform guideline, or with every element of every uniform guideline, in every State. A State may use the funds apportioned under this section, in cooperation with neighboring States, for highway safety programs or related projects that may confer benefits on such neighboring States. Funds apportioned under this section to any State, that does not have a highway safety program approved by the Secretary or that is not implementing an approved program, shall be reduced by amounts equal to not less than 20 percent of the amounts that would otherwise be apportioned to the State under this section, until such time as the Secretary approves such program or determines that the State is implementing an approved program, as appropriate. The Secretary shall consider the gravity of the State’s failure to have or implement an approved program in determining the amount of the reduction. (3) Reapportionment.— The Secretary shall promptly apportion the funds withheld from a State’s apportionment to the State if the Secretary approves the State’s highway safety program or determines that the State has begun implementing an approved program, as appropriate, not later than July 31st of the fiscal year for which the funds were withheld. If the Secretary determines that the State did not correct its failure within such period, the Secretary shall reapportion the withheld funds to the other States in accordance with the formula specified in paragraph (2) not later than the last day of the fiscal year. (4) Automated traffic enforcement systems.— (A) Prohibition.— A State may not expend funds apportioned to that State under this section to carry out a program to purchase, operate, or maintain an automated traffic enforcement system. (B) Automated traffic enforcement system defined.— In this paragraph, the term “automated traffic enforcement system” means any camera which captures an image of a vehicle for the purposes only of red light and speed enforcement, and does not include hand held radar and other devices operated by law enforcement officers to make an on-the-scene traffic stop, issue a traffic citation, or other enforcement action at the time of the violation. (d) All provisions of chapter 1 of this title that are applicable to National Highway System highway funds other than provisions relating to the apportionment formula and provisions limiting the expenditure of such funds to the Federal-aid systems, shall apply to the highway safety funds authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section, except as determined by the Secretary to be inconsistent with this section, and except that the aggregate of all expenditures made during any fiscal year by a State and its political subdivisions (exclusive of Federal funds) for carrying out the State highway safety program (other than planning and administration) shall be available for the purpose of crediting such State during such fiscal year for the non-Federal share of the cost of any project under this section (other than one for planning or administration) without regard to whether such expenditures were actually made in connection with such project and except that, in the case of a local highway safety program carried out by an Indian tribe, if the Secretary is satisfied that an Indian tribe does not have sufficient funds available to meet the non-Federal share of the cost of such program, he may increase the Federal share of the cost thereof payable under this Act to the extent necessary. In applying such provisions of chapter 1 in carrying out this section the term “State transportation department” as used in such provisions shall mean the Governor of a State for the purposes of this section. (e) Uniform guidelines promulgated by the Secretary to carry out this section shall be developed in cooperation with the States, their political subdivisions, appropriate Federal departments and agencies, and such other public and private organizations as the Secretary deems appropriate. (f) The Secretary may make arrangements with other Federal departments and agencies for assistance in the preparation of uniform guidelines for the highway safety programs contemplated by subsection (a) and in the administration of such programs. Such departments and agencies are directed to cooperate in such preparation and administration, on a reimbursable basis. (g) Savings Provision.— (1) In general.— Except as provided under paragraph (2), nothing in this section may be construed to authorize the appropriation or expenditure of funds for— (A) highway construction, maintenance, or design (other than design of safety features of highways to be incorporated into guidelines); or (B) any purpose for which funds are authorized under section 403. (2) Demonstration projects.— A State may use funds made available to carry out this section to assist in demonstration projects carried out by the Secretary under section 403. (h) Application in Indian Country.— (1) Use of terms.— For the purpose of application of this section in Indian country, the terms “State” and “Governor of a State” include the Secretary of the Interior and the term “political subdivision of a State” includes an Indian tribe. (2) Expenditures for local highway programs.— Notwithstanding subsection (b)(1)(C), 95 percent of the funds apportioned to the Secretary of the Interior under this section shall be expended by Indian tribes to carry out highway safety programs within their jurisdictions. (3) Access for individuals with disabilities.— The requirements of subsection (b)(1)(D) shall be applicable to Indian tribes, except to those tribes with respect to which the Secretary determines that application of such provisions would not be practicable. (4) Indian country defined.— In this subsection, the term “Indian country” means— (A) all land within the limits of any Indian reservation under the jurisdiction of the United States, notwithstanding the issuance of any patent and including rights-of-way running through the reservation; (B) all dependent Indian communities within the borders of the United States, whether within the original or subsequently acquired territory thereof and whether within or without the limits of a State; and (C) all Indian allotments, the Indian titles to which have not been extinguished, including rights-of-way running through such allotments. (i) Rulemaking Proceeding.— The Secretary may periodically conduct a rulemaking process to identify highway safety programs that are highly effective in reducing motor vehicle crashes, injuries, and deaths. Any such rulemaking shall take into account the major role of the States in implementing such programs. When a rule promulgated in accordance with this section takes effect, States shall consider these highly effective programs when developing their highway safety programs. (j) Law Enforcement Vehicular Pursuit Training.— A State shall actively encourage all relevant law enforcement agencies in such State to follow the guidelines established for vehicular pursuits issued by the International Association of Chiefs of Police that are in effect on the date of enactment of this subsection or as revised and in effect after such date as determined by the Secretary. (k) Highway Safety Plan and Reporting Requirements.— (1) In general.— With respect to fiscal year 2014, and each fiscal year thereafter, the Secretary shall require each State, as a condition of the approval of the State’s highway safety program for that fiscal year, to develop and submit to the Secretary for approval a highway safety plan that complies with the requirements under this subsection. (2) Timing.— Each State shall submit to the Secretary the highway safety plan not later than July 1st of the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year to which the plan applies. (3) Contents.— State highway safety plans submitted under paragraph (1) shall include— (A) performance measures required by the Secretary or otherwise necessary to support additional State safety goals, including— (i) documentation of current safety levels for each performance measure; (ii) quantifiable annual performance targets for each performance measure; and (iii) a justification for each performance target, that explains why each target is appropriate and evidence-based; (B) a strategy for programming funds apportioned to the State under this section on projects and activities that will allow the State to meet the performance targets described in subparagraph (A); (C) data and data analysis supporting the effectiveness of proposed countermeasures; (D) a description of any Federal, State, local, or private funds that the State plans to use, in addition to funds apportioned to the State under this section, to carry out the strategy described in subparagraph (B); (E) for the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year to which the plan applies, a report on the State’s success in meeting State safety goals and performance targets set forth in the previous year’s highway safety plan; and (F) an application for any additional grants available to the State under this chapter. (4) Performance measures.— For the first highway safety plan submitted under this subsection, the performance measures required by the Secretary under paragraph (2)(A) shall be limited to those developed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Governor’s Highway Safety Association and described in the report, “Traffic Safety Performance Measures for States and Federal Agencies” (DOT HS 811 025). For subsequent highway safety plans, the Secretary shall coordinate with the Governor’s Highway Safety Association in making revisions to the set of required performance measures. (5) Review of highway safety plans.— (A) In general.— Not later than 60 days after the date on which a State’s highway safety plan is received by the Secretary, the Secretary shall review and approve or disapprove the plan. (B) Approvals and disapprovals.— (i) Approvals.— The Secretary shall approve a State’s highway safety plan if the Secretary determines that— (I) the plan and the performance targets contained in the plan are evidence-based and supported by data; and (II) the plan, once implemented, will allow the State to meet the State’s performance targets. (ii) Disapprovals.— The Secretary shall disapprove a State’s highway safety plan if the Secretary determines that— (I) the plan and the performance targets contained in the plan are not evidence-based or supported by data; or (II) the plan does not provide for programming of funding in a manner sufficient to allow the State to meet the State’s performance targets. (C) Actions upon disapproval.— If the Secretary disapproves a State’s highway safety plan, the Secretary shall— (i) inform the State of the reasons for such disapproval; and (ii) require the State to resubmit the plan with any modifications that the Secretary determines to be necessary. (D) Review of resubmitted plans.— If the Secretary requires a State to resubmit a highway safety plan, with modifications, the Secretary shall review and approve or disapprove the modified plan not later than 30 days after the date on which the Secretary receives such plan. (E) Public notice.— A State shall make the State’s highway safety plan, and decisions of the Secretary concerning approval or disapproval of a revised plan, available to the public. [(l) redesignated (j).] (m) Teen Traffic Safety.— (1) In general.— Subject to the requirements of a State’s highway safety plan, as approved by the Secretary under subsection (k), a State may use a portion of the amounts received under this section to implement statewide efforts to improve traffic safety for teen drivers. (2) Use of funds.— Statewide efforts under paragraph (1)— (A) shall include peer-to-peer education and prevention strategies in schools and communities designed to— (i) increase safety belt use; (ii) reduce speeding; (iii) reduce impaired and distracted driving; (iv) reduce underage drinking; and (v) reduce other behaviors by teen drivers that lead to injuries and fatalities; and (B) may include— (i) working with student-led groups and school advisors to plan and implement teen traffic safety programs; (ii) providing subgrants to schools throughout the State to support the establishment and expansion of student groups focused on teen traffic safety; (iii) providing support, training, and technical assistance to establish and expand school and community safety programs for teen drivers; (iv) creating statewide or regional websites to publicize and circulate information on teen safety programs; (v) conducting outreach and providing educational resources for parents; (vi) establishing State or regional advisory councils comprised of teen drivers to provide input and recommendations to the governor and the governor’s safety representative on issues related to the safety of teen drivers; (vii) collaborating with law enforcement; and (viii) establishing partnerships and promoting coordination among community stakeholders, including public, not-for-profit, and for profit entities. (n) Biennial Report to Congress.— Not later than October 1, 2015 , and biennially thereafter, the Secretary shall submit a report to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate that contains—(1) an evaluation of each State’s performance with respect to the State’s highway safety plan under subsection (k) and performance targets set by the States in such plans; and (2) such recommendations as the Secretary may have for improvements to activities carried out under subsection (k).
References In Text
The date of enactment of the Motor Vehicle and Highway Safety Improvement Act of 2012, referred to in subsec. (b)(1)(E), is the date of enactment of title I of div. C of Pub. L. 112–141, which was approved
This Act, referred to in subsec. (d), probably means Pub. L. 93–87,
The date of enactment of this subsection, referred to in subsec. (j), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 109–59, which was approved
Amendments
2012—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 112–141, § 31102(a), amended subsec. (a) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (a) related to State highway programs designed to reduce traffic accidents and deaths in accordance with uniform guidelines promulgated by the Secretary.
Subsec. (b)(1)(E), (F). Pub. L. 112–141, § 31102(b)(1)(A)–(C), added subpar. (E) and redesignated former subpar. (E) as (F).
Subsec. (b)(1)(F)(i). Pub. L. 112–141, § 31102(b)(1)(D)(i), inserted “and high-visibility law enforcement mobilizations coordinated by the Secretary” after “mobilizations”.
Subsec. (b)(1)(F)(v). Pub. L. 112–141, § 31102(b)(1)(D)(ii)–(iv), added cl. (v).
Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 112–141, § 31102(b)(2), struck out par. (3). Text read as follows: “The Secretary may encourage States to use technologically advanced traffic enforcement devices (including the use of automatic speed detection devices such as photo-radar) by law enforcement officers.”
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 112–141, § 31102(c), inserted subsec. and par. headings and substantially revised text of subsec. (c). Prior to amendment, subsec. (c) related to use of funds appropriated to carry out this section.
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 112–141, § 31102(d), amended subsec. (g) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (g) read as follows: “Nothing in this section authorizes the appropriation or expenditure of funds for (1) highway construction, maintenance, or design (other than design of safety features of highways to be incorporated into guidelines) or (2) any purpose for which funds are authorized by section 403 of this title.”
Subsecs. (h) to (j). Pub. L. 112–141, § 31102(e)(2), (3), redesignated subsecs. (i), (j), and (l) as (h), (i), and (j), respectively.
Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 112–141, § 31102(e)(1), (f), added subsec. (k) and struck out former subsec. (k) which related to grants to States for the development and use of a comprehensive computerized safety recordkeeping system designed to correlate data regarding traffic accidents, drivers, motor vehicles, and roadways.
Subsec. (l). Pub. L. 112–141, § 31102(e)(3), redesignated subsec. (l) as (j).
Subsec. (m). Pub. L. 112–141, § 31102(e)(1), (g), added subsec. (m) and struck out former subsec. (m). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The Secretary shall establish an approval process by which a State may apply for all grants under this chapter for which a single application process with one annual deadline is appropriate. The Bureau of Indian Affairs shall establish a similar simplified process for applications for grants from Indian tribes under this chapter.”
Subsec. (n). Pub. L. 112–141, § 31102(h), added subsec. (n).
2008—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 110–244, § 303(c)(1)(A), repealed amendment by Pub. L. 109–59, § 2002(b)(2). See 2005 Amendment note below.
Subsec. (b)(1)(E). Pub. L. 110–244, § 303(c)(1)(B), renumbered Pub. L. 109–59, § 2002(b)(1), (3), (4). See 2005 Amendment note below.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 110–244, § 303(a), in fifth sentence, substituted “The annual apportionment to each State shall not be less than three-quarters of 1 percent” for “The annual apportionment to each State shall not be less than one-half of 1 per centum”.
Subsec. (m). Pub. L. 110–244, § 303(b), in first sentence, substituted “for which” for “through” and inserted “is appropriate” before period at end.
2005—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 109–59, § 2002(a)(4), inserted “aggressive driving, fatigued driving, distracted driving,” after “school bus accidents,” in tenth sentence.
Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 109–59, § 2002(a)(1), struck out “and to increase public awareness of the benefit of motor vehicles equipped with airbags” before comma at end.
Subsec. (a)(6), (7). Pub. L. 109–59, § 2002(a)(2), (3), added cl. (6) and redesignated former cl. (6) as (7).
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 109–59, § 2002(b)(2), which directed amendment of subsec. (b)(1) by redesignating cl. (6) as (7) and could not be executed, was repealed by Pub. L. 110–244, § 303(c)(1)(A).
Subsec. (b)(1)(E). Pub. L. 109–59, § 2002(b)(1)–(3), formerly § 2002(b)(1), (3), (4), as renumbered by Pub. L. 110–244, § 303(c)(1)(B), added subpar. (E).
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 109–59, § 2002(c)(2), which directed amendment of subsec. (c) by substituting “2 percent” for “three-fourths of 1 percent” in sixth sentence, was executed by making the substitution in fifth sentence to reflect the probable intent of Congress and the amendment by Pub. L. 109–59, § 2002(c)(1). See below.
Pub. L. 109–59, § 2002(c)(1), struck out second sentence which read as follows: “Such funds shall be subject to a deduction not to exceed 5 per centum for the necessary costs of administering the provisions of this section, and the remainder shall be apportioned among the several States.”
Subsecs. (l), (m). Pub. L. 109–59, § 2002(d), added subsecs. (l) and (m).
1998—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 105–178, § 2001(a), in fourth sentence, substituted “(4) to prevent accidents and” for “(4) to”, in eighth sentence, struck out “include information obtained by the Secretary under section 4007 of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 and” before “provide for annual reports to the Secretary”, and in twelfth sentence, inserted “enforcement of light transmission standards of window glazing for passenger motor vehicles and light trucks as necessary to improve highway safety,” before “and emergency services”.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 105–178, § 2001(b), inserted heading, redesignated pars. (3) to (5) as (1) to (3), respectively, substituted “paragraph (3)” for “paragraph (5)” in par. (1)(C) and “paragraph (1)(C)” for “paragraph (3)(C)” in par. (2), and struck out former pars. (1) and (2) which read as follows:
“(b)(1) The Secretary shall not approve any State highway safety program under this section which does not—
“(A) provide that the Governor of the State shall be responsible for the administration of the program through a State highway safety agency which shall have adequate powers, and be suitably equipped and organized to carry out, to the satisfaction of the Secretary, such program.
“(B) authorize political subdivisions of such State to carry out local highway safety programs within their jurisdictions as a part of the State highway safety program if such local highway safety programs are approved by the Governor and are in accordance with the uniform guidelines of the Secretary promulgated under this section.
“(C) provide that at least 40 per centum of all Federal funds apportioned under this section to such State for any fiscal year will be expended by the political subdivisions of such State in carrying out local highway safety programs authorized in accordance with subparagraph (B) of this paragraph.
“(D) provide adequate and reasonable access for the safe and convenient movement of physically handicapped persons, including those in wheelchairs, across curbs constructed or replaced on or after
“(E) provide for programs (which may include financial incentives and disincentives) to encourage the use of safety belts by drivers of, and passengers in, motor vehicles.
“(2) The Secretary is authorized to waive the requirement of subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) of this subsection, in whole or in part, for a fiscal year for any State whenever he determines that there is an insufficient number of local highway safety programs to justify the expenditure in such State of such percentage of Federal funds during such fiscal year.”
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 105–178, § 2001(c), in sixth sentence, inserted “the apportionment to the Secretary of the Interior shall not be less than three-fourths of 1 percent of the total apportionment and” before “the apportionments to the Virgin Islands”.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 105–178, § 1212(a)(2)(A)(i), substituted “State transportation department” for “State highway department”.
Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 105–178, § 2001(d), inserted heading and amended text of subsec. (i) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “For the purpose of the application of this section on Indian reservations, ‘State’ and ‘Governor of a State’ includes the Secretary of the Interior and ‘political subdivision of a State’ includes an Indian tribe: Provided, That, notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (C) of subsection (b)(1) hereof, 95 per centum of the funds apportioned to the Secretary of the Interior after date of enactment, shall be expended by Indian tribes to carry out highway safety programs within their jurisdictions: And provided further, That the provisions of subparagraph (E) of subsection (b)(1) hereof shall be applicable except in those tribal jurisdictions in which the Secretary determines such programs would not be practicable.”
Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 105–178, § 2001(e), amended heading and text of subsec. (j) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The Secretary shall, not later than
1995—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 104–66 struck out after fourth sentence “If the Secretary does not designate as priority programs those programs described in the preceding sentence, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report describing the reasons for not prioritizing such programs.”
1991—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 102–240, § 2002(a), inserted after third sentence “In addition, such uniform guidelines shall include programs (1) to reduce injuries and deaths resulting from motor vehicles being driven in excess of posted speed limits, (2) to encourage the proper use of occupant protection devices (including the use of safety belts and child restraint systems) by occupants of motor vehicles and to increase public awareness of the benefit of motor vehicles equipped with airbags, (3) to reduce deaths and injuries resulting from persons driving motor vehicles while impaired by alcohol or a controlled substance, (4) to reduce deaths and injuries resulting from accidents involving motor vehicles and motorcycles, (5) to reduce injuries and deaths resulting from accidents involving school buses, and (6) to improve law enforcement services in motor vehicle accident prevention, traffic supervision, and post-accident procedures. If the Secretary does not designate as priority programs those programs described in the preceding sentence, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report describing the reasons for not prioritizing such programs. The Secretary shall establish a highway safety program for the collection and reporting of data on traffic-related deaths and injuries by the States. Under such program, the States shall collect and report such data as the Secretary may require. The purposes of the program are to ensure national uniform data on such deaths and injuries and to allow the Secretary to make determinations for use in developing programs to reduce such deaths and injuries and making recommendations to Congress concerning legislation necessary to implement such programs. The program shall include information obtained by the Secretary under section 4007 of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 and provide for annual reports to the Secretary on the efforts being made by the States in reducing deaths and injuries occurring at highway construction sites and the effectiveness and results of such efforts. The Secretary shall establish minimum reporting criteria for the program. Such criteria shall include, but not be limited to, criteria on deaths and injuries resulting from police pursuits, school bus accidents, and speeding, on traffic-related deaths and injuries at highway construction sites and on the configuration of commercial motor vehicles involved in motor vehicle accidents.”
Subsec. (b)(3) to (5). Pub. L. 102–240, § 2002(b), added pars. (3) to (5).
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 102–240, § 2002(c), substituted “National Highway System” for “Federal-aid primary”.
1987—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 100–17, § 206(a), (b), substituted “guidelines” for “standards” wherever appearing and struck out provisions authorizing the Secretary to temporarily amend or waive standards in public interest for purpose of evaluating new or different highway safety programs instituted on an experimental, pilot or demonstration basis.
Subsec. (b)(1)(B). Pub. L. 100–17, § 206(a), substituted “guidelines” for “standards”.
Subsec. (b)(1)(D) to (F). Pub. L. 100–17, § 206(c), redesignated subpars. (E) and (F) as (D) and (E), respectively, and struck out former subpar. (D) which read as follows: “provide for comprehensive driver training programs, including (1) the initiation of a State program for driver education in the school systems or for a significant expansion and improvement of such a program already in existence, to be administered by appropriate school officials under the supervision of the Governor as set forth in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph; (2) the training of qualified school instructors and their certification; (3) appropriate regulation of other driver training schools, including licensing of the schools and certification of their instructors; (4) adult driver training programs, and programs for the retraining of selected drivers; (5) adequate research, development and procurement of practice driving facilities, simulators, and other similar teaching aids for both school and other driver training use, and (6) driver education programs, including research, that will assure greater safety for bicyclists using public roads in such State.”
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 100–17, §§ 133(b)(20), 206(a), substituted “Such” for “For the fiscal years ending
Subsecs. (e) to (g). Pub. L. 100–17, § 206(a), substituted “guidelines” for “standards”.
Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 100–17, § 206(d), amended subsec. (j) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (j) read as follows: “The Secretary of Transportation shall, not later than
1984—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 98–363, § 3(a), inserted “, except that the apportionments to the Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa shall be not less than one-quarter of 1 per centum of the total apportionment” in sixth sentence.
Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 98–363, § 5, added subsec. (k).
1983—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 97–424 struck out provision that apportionments to Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa were not to be less than one third of 1 per centum of total apportionment from provision relating to the minimum apportionment for each State.
1981—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 97–35, § 1107(e), struck out subpar. (D) which related to aggregate expenditure of funds, and redesignated subpars. (E) to (G) as (D) to (F), respectively.
Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 97–35, § 1107(c), struck out subsec. (h) which related to continuation in effect of uniform safety standards promulgated on or before
Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 97–35, § 1107(d), substituted provisions requiring the Secretary to begin by
1978—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 95–599, § 207(a), inserted “including, but not limited to, such programs for identifying accident causes, adopting measures to reduce accidents, and evaluating effectiveness of such measures” after “one or more States”.
Subsec. (b)(1)(A). Pub. L. 95–599, § 207(b)(1), substituted “State highway safety agency” for “State agency”.
Subsec. (b)(1)(G). Pub. L. 95–599, § 207(c), added subpar. (G).
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 95–599, § 207(d), inserted “(other than planning and administration)” after “State highway safety program” and “(other than one for planning or administration)” after “cost of any project under this section”.
1976—Subsec. (c), sixth sentence. Pub. L. 94–280, § 211, inserted exception provision requirement that the apportionments to the Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa be not less than one-third of 1 per centum of the total apportionment.
Subsec. (c), eighth and ninth sentences. Pub. L. 94–280, § 208(a), inserted eighth and ninth sentences: excluding from any highway safety program approved by the Secretary any requirement that a State implement a Federal safety helmet wearing standard for operators or passengers of motorcycles by adopting or enforcing any law, rule, or regulation based on the Federal standard, and authorizing State implementation of a highway safety program without compliance with every uniform standard in every State; and deleted prior eighth, ninth, and tenth sentences providing for: a 10 per centum reduction of funds apportioned to a State on or after
Subsec. (c), tenth through thirteenth sentences. Pub. L. 94–280, § 212, inserted provisions for: a 50 per centum reduction of funds apportioned to a State during time of absence or nonimplementation of a highway safety program; gravity rule in determining amount of reduction of funds; apportionment to a State of withheld funds prior to the end of the fiscal year for which the funds were withheld in event of approval of or State implementation of a highway safety program; and for reapportionment of funds to other States in accordance with the prescribed formula not later than 30 days after determination of absence of correction by a State, similar provisions being formerly covered in prior eighth, ninth, and tenth sentences providing for: a 10 per centum reduction of funds apportioned to a State on or after
Subsec. (j)(3) to (5). Pub. L. 94–280, § 204, added par. (3) provisions respecting incentive safety grants, struck out prior par. (3) provisions limiting incentive awards authorized by this section to 25 per centum of each State’s apportionment as authorized by this chapter, and added pars. (4) and (5).
1973—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 93–87, § 231(a), provided for promulgation of uniform standards so as to improve bicycle safety.
Subsec. (b)(1)(E)(6). Pub. L. 93–87, § 231(b), added item (6) of subpar. (E).
Subsec. (b)(1)(F). Pub. L. 93–87, § 228, added subpar. (F).
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 93–87, §§ 215–217, provided for use of funds for development and implementation of manpower training programs, and of demonstration programs that the Secretary determines will contribute directly to the reduction of accidents, and deaths and injuries resulting therefrom and inserted “Such funds” before “shall be subject to a deduction”; provided for the determination of public road mileage as of the end of the calendar year preceding the year in which the funds are apportioned and shall be certified to by the Governor of the State and subject to approval by the Secretary; and increased the annual apportionment to each State from “one-third of 1 per centum” to “one-half of 1 per centum” of the total apportionment, respectively.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 93–87, § 207(b), inserted at end of first sentence provision that in the case of a local highway safety program carried out by an Indian tribe, if the Secretary is satisfied that an Indian tribe does not have sufficient funds available to meet the non-Federal share of the cost of such program, he may increase the Federal share of the cost thereof payable under this Act to the extent necessary.
Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 93–87, § 229, substituted provisions for continuation of uniform safety standards promulgated under this section on or before
Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 93–87, § 207(a), added subsec. (i).
Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 93–87, § 219, added subsec. (j).
1970—Subsec. (b)(1)(A). Pub. L. 91–605, § 203(A), required the Governor of a State be responsible for the administration of the State highway safety program through a State agency suitably organized and possessed of adequate powers to carry out such programs to the satisfaction of the Secretary.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 91–605, § 202(c), provided a formula for apportionments to States, after
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 91–605, § 202(d), provided that the aggregate of all expenditures made during any fiscal year by a State and its political subdivisions for carrying out the State highway safety program be available for crediting such State for the non-Federal share of the cost of any project under this section without regard to whether such expenditures were actually made in connection with such project.
Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 91–605, § 202(e), added subsec. (h).
1968—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 90–495 substituted “
Effective Date Of Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 112–141 effective
Amendment by sections 101(s)(2) and 303(c)(1) of Pub. L. 110–244 effective as of the date of enactment of Pub. L. 109–59 (
Pub. L. 110–244, title III, § 303(a),
Pub. L. 109–59, title II, § 2022,
Pub. L. 102–240, title II, § 2008,
Amendment by section 3(a) of Pub. L. 98–363 applicable to fiscal years beginning after
Pub. L. 97–35, title XI, § 1107(c),
Pub. L. 95–599, title II, § 207(b)(2),
Pub. L. 91–605, title II, § 203(b),
Amendment by Pub. L. 90–495 effective
Miscellaneous
Pub. L. 112–141, div. C, title I, § 31101(d)–(f),
Pub. L. 109–59, title I, § 1404,
Pub. L. 109–59, title I, § 1411,
Pub. L. 109–59, title I, § 1906,
Pub. L. 109–59, title II, § 2009,
Pub. L. 109–59, title II, § 2010,
Pub. L. 109–59, title II, § 2014,
Pub. L. 109–59, title II, § 2017(b),
Pub. L. 105–178, title I, § 1202(e),
Pub. L. 105–178, title I, § 1212(i), formerly § 1212(o),
Pub. L. 105–178, title II, § 2001(f),
Pub. L. 102–240, title I, § 1088,
Pub. L. 102–240, title II, § 2009(b),
Pub. L. 100–641, § 3,
Pub. L. 100–17, title I, § 161,
[For termination, effective
Pub. L. 100–17, title II, § 204,
Pub. L. 98–78, title III, § 321,
Pub. L. 95–599, title II, § 210,
Pub. L. 95–599, title II, § 214,
Pub. L. 94–280, title II, § 208(b),
Pub. L. 89–564, title II, § 203,
Pub. L. 89–564, title I, § 104,
Pub. L. 89–564, title II, § 204,
Executive Order
Ex. Ord. No. 13043,
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the Highway Safety Act of 1966, 23 U.S.C. 402 and 403, as amended, section 7902(c) of title 5, United States Code, and section 19 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, 29 U.S.C. 668, as amended, and in order to require that Federal employees use seat belts while on official business; to require that motor vehicle occupants use seat belts in national park areas and on Department of Defense (“Defense”) installations; to encourage Tribal Governments to adopt and enforce seat belt policies and programs for occupants of motor vehicles traveling on highways in Indian Country; and to encourage Federal contractors, subcontractors, and grantees to adopt and enforce on-the-job seat belt use policies and programs, it is hereby ordered as follows:
Section 1. Policies. (a) Seat Belt Use by Federal Employees. Each Federal employee occupying any seating position of a motor vehicle on official business, whose seat is equipped with a seat belt, shall have the seat belt properly fastened at all times when the vehicle is in motion.
(b) Seat Belt Use in National Parks and on Defense Installations. Each operator and passenger occupying any seating position of a motor vehicle in a national park area or on a Defense installation, whose seat is equipped with a seat belt or child restraint system, shall have the seat belt or child restraint system properly fastened, as required by law, at all times when the vehicle is in motion.
(c) Seat Belt Use by Government Contractors, Subcontractors and Grantees. Each Federal agency, in contracts, subcontracts, and grants entered into after the date of this order, shall seek to encourage contractors, subcontractors, and grantees to adopt and enforce on-the-job seat belt policies and programs for their employees when operating company-owned, rented, or personally owned vehicles.
(d) Tribal Governments. Tribal Governments are encouraged to adopt and enforce seat belt policies and programs for occupants of motor vehicles traveling on highways in Indian Country that are subject to their jurisdiction.
Sec. 2. Scope of Order. All agencies of the executive branch are directed to promulgate rules and take other appropriate measures within their existing programs to further the policies of this order. This includes, but is not limited to, conducting education, awareness, and other appropriate programs for Federal employees about the importance of wearing seat belts and the consequences of not wearing them. It also includes encouraging Federal contractors, subcontractors, and grantees to conduct such programs. In addition, the National Park Service and the Department of Defense are directed to initiate rulemaking to consider regulatory changes with respect to enhanced seat belt use requirements and standard (primary) enforcement of such requirements in national park areas and on Defense installations, consistent with the policies outlined in this order, and to widely publicize and actively enforce such regulations. The term “agency” as used in this order means an Executive department, as defined in 5 U.S.C. 101, or any employing unit or authority of the Federal Government, other than those of the legislative and judicial branches.
Sec. 3. Coordination. The Secretary of Transportation shall provide leadership and guidance to the heads of executive branch agencies to assist them with the employee seat belt programs established pursuant to this order. The Secretary of Transportation shall also cooperate and consult with the legislative and judicial branches of the Government to encourage and help them to adopt seat belt use programs.
Sec. 4. Reporting Requirements. The Secretary of Transportation, in cooperation with the heads of executive branch agencies, and after consultation with the judicial and legislative branches of Government, shall submit an annual report to the President. The report shall include seat belt use rates and statistics of crashes, injuries, and related costs involving Federal employees on official business and occupants of motor vehicles driven in national park areas, on Defense installations, and on highways in Indian Country. The report also shall identify specific agency programs that have made significant progress towards achieving the goals of this order or are notable and deserving of recognition. All agencies of the executive branch shall provide information to, and otherwise cooperate with, the Secretary of Transportation to assist with the preparation of the annual report.
Sec. 5. Other Powers and Duties. Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or alter the powers and duties of the heads of the various Federal agencies pursuant to the Highway Safety Act of 1966, 23 U.S.C. 402 and 403, as amended, section 19 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, 29 U.S.C. 668, as amended, or sections 7901, 7902, and 7903 of title 5, United States Code, nor shall it be construed to affect any right, duty, or procedure under the National Labor Relations Act, 29 U.S.C. 151et seq.
Sec. 6. General Provisions. (a) Executive Order 12566 of
(b) If any provision of this order or application of any such provision is held to be invalid, the remainder of this order and other applications of such provision shall not be affected.
(c) Nothing in this order shall be construed to create a new cause of action against the United States, or to alter in any way the United States liability under the Federal Tort Claims Act, 28 U.S.C. 2671-2680.
(d) The Secretary of Defense shall implement the provisions of this order insofar as practicable for vehicles of the Department of Defense.
(e) The Secretary of the Treasury and the Attorney General, consistent with their protective and law enforcement responsibilities, shall determine the extent to which the requirements of this order apply to the protective and law enforcement activities of their respective agencies.
Ex. Ord. No. 13513,
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 7902(c) of title 5, United States Code, and the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949, as amended, 40 U.S.C. 101et seq. [see Short Title of 1949 Act note set out under section 101 of Title 41, Public Contracts], and in order to demonstrate Federal leadership in improving safety on our roads and highways and to enhance the efficiency of Federal contracting, it is hereby ordered as follows:
Section 1. Policy. With nearly 3 million civilian employees, the Federal Government can and should demonstrate leadership in reducing the dangers of text messaging while driving. Recent deadly crashes involving drivers distracted by text messaging while behind the wheel highlight a growing danger on our roads. Text messaging causes drivers to take their eyes off the road and at least one hand off the steering wheel, endangering both themselves and others. Every day, Federal employees drive Government-owned, Government-leased, or Government-rented vehicles (collectively, GOV) or privately-owned vehicles (POV) on official Government business, and some Federal employees use Government-supplied electronic devices to text or e-mail while driving. A Federal Government-wide prohibition on the use of text messaging while driving on official business or while using Government-supplied equipment will help save lives, reduce injuries, and set an example for State and local governments, private employers, and individual drivers. Extending this policy to cover Federal contractors is designed to promote economy and efficiency in Federal procurement. Federal contractors and contractor employees who refrain from the unsafe practice of text messaging while driving in connection with Government business are less likely to experience disruptions to their operations that would adversely impact Federal procurement.
Sec. 2. Text Messaging While Driving by Federal Employees. Federal employees shall not engage in text messaging (a) when driving GOV, or when driving POV while on official Government business, or (b) when using electronic equipment supplied by the Government while driving.
Sec. 3. Scope of Order. (a) All agencies of the executive branch are directed to take appropriate action within the scope of their existing programs to further the policies of this order and to implement section 2 of this order. This includes, but is not limited to, considering new rules and programs, and reevaluating existing programs to prohibit text messaging while driving, and conducting education, awareness, and other outreach for Federal employees about the safety risks associated with texting while driving. These initiatives should encourage voluntary compliance with the agency’s text messaging policy while off duty.
(b) Within 90 days of the date of this order, each agency is directed, consistent with all applicable laws and regulations: (i) to take appropriate measures to implement this order, (ii) to adopt measures to ensure compliance with section 2 of this order, including through appropriate disciplinary actions, and (iii) to notify the Secretary of Transportation of the measures it undertakes hereunder.
(c) Agency heads may exempt from the requirements of this order, in whole or in part, certain employees, devices, or vehicles in their respective agencies that are engaged in or used for protective, law enforcement, or national security responsibilities or on the basis of other emergency conditions.
Sec. 4. Text Messaging While Driving by Government Contractors, Subcontractors, and Recipients and Subrecipients. Each Federal agency, in procurement contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements, and other grants to the extent authorized by applicable statutory authority, entered into after the date of this order, shall encourage contractors, subcontractors, and recipients and subrecipients to adopt and enforce policies that ban text messaging while driving company-owned or -rented vehicles or GOV, or while driving POV when on official Government business or when performing any work for or on behalf of the Government. Agencies should also encourage Federal contractors, subcontractors, and grant recipients and subrecipients as described in this section to conduct initiatives of the type described in section 3(a) of this order.
Sec. 5. Coordination. The Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the Administrator of General Services and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, shall provide leadership and guidance to the heads of executive branch agencies to assist them with any action pursuant to this order.
Sec. 6. Definitions.
(a) The term “agency” as used in this order means an executive agency, as defined in 5 U.S.C. 105, except for the Government Accountability Office.
(b) “Texting” or “Text Messaging” means reading from or entering data into any handheld or other electronic device, including for the purpose of SMS texting, e-mailing, instant messaging, obtaining navigational information, or engaging in any other form of electronic data retrieval or electronic data communication.
(c) “Driving” means operating a motor vehicle on an active roadway with the motor running, including while temporarily stationary because of traffic, a traffic light or stop sign, or otherwise. It does not include operating a motor vehicle with or without the motor running when one has pulled over to the side of, or off, an active roadway and has halted in a location where one can safely remain stationary.
Sec. 7. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect or alter:
(i) Authority granted by law or Executive Order to an agency, or the head thereof;
(ii) Powers and duties of the heads of the various departments and agencies pursuant to the Highway Safety Act of 1966, as amended, 23 U.S.C. 402 and 403, section 19 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, as amended, 29 U.S.C. 668, sections 7901 and 7902 of title 5, United States Code, or the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949, as amended, 40 U.S.C. 101et seq.;
(iii) Rights, duties, or procedures under the National Labor Relations Act, 29 U.S.C. 151et seq.; or
(iv) Functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity, by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.