ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Wes Moore has announced that $13.3 million in federal highway safety grants will be distributed on October 1, 2024, to 87 agencies, organizations, and programs across Maryland as part of a statewide focus on preventing motor vehicle crashes and eliminating roadway fatalities.

The governor’s office says the money can be used for a variety of purposes including seatbelt use, impaired driving, pedestrians, bicyclists and child car seat safety.

The grants are part of the Maryland Vision Zero plan which seeks to eliminate traffic fatalities by 2030.

“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.”

One of the recipients, the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration said the money would help increase police training and improve traffic data systems.

“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.”

The distribution of the grants is part of a collaboration between the state and federal governments.

The federal funds can only be used for traffic safety initiatives and are part of the Federal Fiscal Year 2025 which runs from October 1 to September 30, 2025.

This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.