Baker-Polito Administration Awards Over $3.4M in Highway Safety

Grant Recipients and Strategies Reflect Shared Goal of Safer Roadways

Governor Charlie Baker, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, and Secretary Thomas Turco III of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) announced more than $3.4 million in federal highway safety grant funding to a variety of Massachusetts agencies to reduce vehicle crashes, injuries, and loss of life.

“Keeping all road users safe on Massachusetts roads is a top priority,” said Governor Baker.  “These grants will allow for greater enforcement, training, and resources in the effort to protect drivers on our streets and highways.”

“This package of grants will support roadway safety and help deter impaired driving by engaging a wide variety of agencies,” said Lt. Governor Polito. “From licensing and regulatory authorities to criminal justice professionals, we all have an important part to play.”

EOPSS’ Office of Grants and Research serves at the State Administering Agency for funding received from the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice, and the source funds of these grant awards, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  “Roadway safety is a critical issue in big cities and small towns alike,” said Secretary Turco.  “By supplementing our ongoing enforcement efforts with enhanced education and training, this funding will make a difference across the Commonwealth.”

In addition to ongoing law enforcement programs geared toward identifying and suppressing impaired and distracted driving, the grants also focus on raising awareness through driver education, law enforcement training, regulatory strategies, and criminal justice strategies.  The agencies receiving an award from the Office of Grants and Research are as follows:

Agency	Project	AWARD
Massachusetts State Police	Sobriety Checkpoints, DRE training, STEP Program, Click It or Ticket, Distracted Driving, Speed, Young Driver, Child Passenger Safety, BTO Training	$2,295,443
MA Trial Court	Judicial Education Relating to Highway Safety Strategies	$18,135
Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission	Underage Drinking Compliance Checks, Prevent the Sale of Alcohol to Intoxicated Persons	$325,000
Municipal Police Traning Committee	Training, DRE Training, Impaired Driving Training	$510,000
MA Registry of Motor Vehicles	Motorcycle Safety Program Enhancements	$100,000
MA District Attorney’s Association	Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor	$181,546.59
TOTAL		$3,430,124.50