Section 1300.27 - Preventing Roadside Deaths Grants(a)Purpose. This section establishes criteria, in accordance with 23 U.S.C. 405(h) , for awarding grants to States that adopt and implement effective programs to prevent death and injury from crashes involving motor vehicles striking other vehicles and individuals stopped at the roadside.(b)Definitions. As used in this section- Digital alert technology means a system that provides electronic notification to drivers.
Optical visibility measure means an action to ensure that items are seen using visible light.
Public information campaign means activities to build awareness with the motoring public of a traffic safety issue through media, messaging, and an organized set of communication tactics that may include but are not limited to advertising in print, internet, social media, radio and television.
(c)Qualification criteria. To qualify for a grant under this section in a fiscal year, a State shall submit a plan that describes the method by which the State will use grant funds in accordance with paragraph (e) of this section. At a minimum, the plan shall state the eligible use(s) selected, consistent with paragraph (e) of this section, and include-(1) Identification of the specific safety problems to be addressed, performance measures and targets, the countermeasure strategies at the level of detail required by § 1300.11(b)(1), (3), and (4) ; and(2) Identification of the projects at the level of detail required by § 1300.12(b)(2) that support those strategies the State will implement during the fiscal year to carry out the plan.(d)Award amounts. The amount of a grant awarded to a State in a fiscal year under this section shall be in proportion to the amount each State received under Section 402 for fiscal year 2022.(e)Use of grant funds. A State may only use grant funds awarded under 23 U.S.C. 405(h) as follows: (1) To purchase and deploy digital alert technology that-(i) Is capable of receiving alerts regarding nearby first responders; and(ii) In the case of a motor vehicle that is used for emergency response activities, is capable of sending alerts to civilian drivers to protect first responders on the scene and en route;(2) To educate the public regarding the safety of vehicles and individuals stopped at the roadside in the State through public information campaigns for the purpose of reducing roadside deaths and injuries;(3) For law enforcement costs related to enforcing State laws to protect the safety of vehicles and individuals stopped at the roadside;(4) For programs to identify, collect, and report to State and local government agencies data related to crashes involving vehicles and individuals stopped at the roadside; and(5) To pilot and incentivize measures, including optical visibility measures, to increase the visibility of stopped and disabled vehicles. 81 FR 32580 , 5/23/2016; 83 FR 3482 , 2/26/2018; 88 FR 7804 , 3/8/2023