157 Grant Information

On June 9, 1998, Congress enacted the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century. Section 1403 of TEA-21 contains a new safety incentive grant program for use of seat belts. Under this program, funds are allocated each fiscal year from 1999 until 2003 to States that exceed the national average seat belt use or that improve their State seat belt use rated, base on certain required determinations and findings. Beginning in fiscal year 2000, any funds remaining unallocated in a fiscal year after the determinations and findings related to seat belt use rates are to be used to "make allocations to States to carry out innovative projects to promote increased seat belt use rates."

North Dakota Dept of Transportation applied for these unallocated funds and received official notification on March 8, 2000 of a $450,294 award. The objective of this grant program is to increase seat belt use rates, for both adults and children, by supporting the implementation of innovative projects that build upon strategies know to be effective in increasing seat belt use rates. The primary emphasis will be placed in education and enforcement during four blitz periods during the year. Pre and post local surveys will be conducted by local SC directors to measure use rates. The blitz periods cover approximately an eight week period of time from pre survey to final reporting.

Bismarck Police Dept and Burleigh County Sheriff's Dept piloted the enforcement project over the July 4th holiday. The September blitz will include the communities of Grand Forks, Fargo, and Dickinson.