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ANNAPOLIS, MD - Governor Wes Moore today announced more than $13.3 million in federal highway safety grants to organizations across Maryland as part of a statewide focus to prevent motor vehicle crashes and eliminate roadway fatalities. The federal funds will be distributed on October 1 by the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration's Highway Safety Office to 87 agencies, organizations and programs.
“There is no higher priority for any governor than keeping their people safe. Today, we take another significant step forward in our enduring mission to prevent crashes and keep Marylanders protected on the road," said Gov. Moore. “In collaboration with our federal partners, we are making Maryland safer for all."
Funds awarded this year may be used for traffic safety initiatives and are allocated based on crash data for each county or organization. The federal grants are in addition to the state-funded grants announced in July. Funds announced today will be used for initiatives to:
- Increase the use of seat belts in all seats;
- Prevent impaired, aggressive and distracted driving;
- Increase safety for pedestrians, motorcyclists and bicyclists;
- Promote the correct use of child passenger safety seats;
- Support police training for highway safety and traffic enforcement;
- Fund overtime enforcement of Maryland's traffic laws; and
- Increase the efficiency and capability of Maryland's traffic data systems.
“As a transportation engineer, I know firsthand how dangerous the work is for the men and women who build and maintain our roadways," said Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller. "Every worker deserves to make it home safely to their families, and it's on each of us to make sure that happens. These grants will help reduce risks and make work zones safer, because one life lost is one too many."
In 2023, 621 people were killed on Maryland roadways, including 158 pedestrians and 15 bicyclists—a significant increase from 2022 when the state saw 566 fatalities, including 129 pedestrians and 12 bicyclists.
"Ensuring a safe and equitable roadway system in Maryland is crucial for protecting every individual who travels on our roads. In 2023, we experienced a significant rise in fatalities, including 173 vulnerable road users who were killed," said Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld. “By distributing these grants for education and awareness initiatives, we are focusing on preventive measures to reduce these tragic incidents before they occur."
In 2019, the State of Maryland adopted Vision Zero, a traffic safety strategy that sets a goal of zero traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2030. The goal will guide grant recipients as they implement safety programs. Vision Zero serves as a comprehensive, multi-faceted blueprint to reduce fatalities and serious injuries on roadways across the state by focusing on the four E's: education, engineering, enforcement and emergency medical services.
"Our commitment to ending unnecessary deaths on our roadways means we will continue to educate and inform, as part of the administration's ongoing efforts to protect all Marylanders and reduce the number of crashes on our roadways," said Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administrator Chrissy Nizer, Governor Moore's Highway Safety Representative. “By investing in outreach and awareness programs, we are taking proactive steps to address the alarming increase in roadway fatalities and to ensure a safer environment for everyone."
Funds awarded through the highway safety grants can only be used for traffic safety initiatives. The funding is for Federal Fiscal Year 2025, which runs from October 1 to September 30, 2025.
View the list of Highway Safety Grant awardees at zerodeathsmd.gov/grants/awardeesp.
Learn more about the Motor Vehicle Administration's Highway Safety Office at ZeroDeathsMD.gov or on Facebook, Twitter/X, and Instagram at @ZeroDeathsMD.