NEWARK, NJ - US Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has awarded over $1.7 million to the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety to implement systems to promote, track, and enforce seatbelt and child seat safety programs, ignition interlock programs, and motorcyclist safety programs. The funding will be distributed to programs designed to reduce highway deaths and injuries from drunk driving, unsafe operation of a motorcycle, and riding unrestrained or improperly restrained in motor vehicles.

"Transportation is vital to our state's economy, but nothing is more important in transportation policy than safeguarding our loved ones from accidents." said Senator Menendez. "But nothing is more important than safeguarding our loved ones while putting an end to preventable and senseless roadway incidents. With these federal funds the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety will be able to aggressively enforce seatbelt safety programs, strengthen our motorcycle safety efforts, and help keep drunk drivers off of our roads. Each of these grants will help improve our transportation system and above all help keep New Jerseyans safe."

The funding was awarded through the Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety received:

  • $736,596 to support Occupant Protection based on identified problems.
  • $882, 128 in Traffic Safety Information Systems Grants to Support Occupant Protection.
  • $102,267 to Support Motorcyclist Safety based on identified problems.

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