Governor Cuomo recently announced that over $32 million in federal highway safety grants have been awarded to 541 highway safety programs throughout New York State to improve overall highway safety and reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries due to crashes.

"Making New York's roads safer for motorists, passengers and pedestrians is a top priority of this administration," Governor Cuomo said. "These grants will go a long way toward meeting that goal by supporting education programs and enforcement efforts that make this state's roadways safer for all."

The funding, which was awarded to New York State by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, is being administered in the form of grants by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee to state, local, and not-for-profit agencies to support three specific types of driver safety initiatives:

• Police Traffic Service: Initiatives by law enforcement agencies to target dangerous driver behaviors. This includes participation in the national Click It or Ticket seat belt mobilization and other enforcement initiatives aimed at preventing speeding, intoxicated driving, and aggressive driving.

• Child Passenger Safety: Child passenger safety education, car seat checks, the distribution of seats, and setting up child seat fitting stations.

• Highway Safety Grants: State, local and not-for-profit programs that cover additional traffic safety undertakings that include education initiatives, traffic records improvements, trainings, crash reconstruction and railroad crossing safety.

A complete listing of all of the 2016 grant projects is available here.

Senator Charles E. Schumer said, "By improving highway safety, we reduce the chance of accidents and make our roads safer for all New Yorkers. This investment will provide critical resources to New York State law enforcement, so we can target reckless driving and keep our highways safe."

Congressman Charles B. Rangel said, "I applaud Governor Cuomo's commitment to strengthening New York States highway safety programs and leading the nation in seat belt compliance for the sixth year. These programs are critical to improving public safety through education enforcement and training initiatives."

Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey said, "Through enhanced enforcement, training, and education, we can save lives on our roads. I’m pleased these federal grants will go toward improving safety on New York highways. As Ranking Member on the House Appropriations Committee, I will continue fighting for investments that help keep Westchester and Rockland families safe and secure."

Congressman José E. Serrano said, "This federal funding will help ensure New York commuters can get to their destination safely and on time. Road safety is important for citizens' security and businesses' competitiveness. With this announcement, Governor Cuomo and the U.S. Department of Transportation have taken another important step to ensure New York stays up to date with a modern, efficient, and safe transportation infrastructure."

Congressman Jerrold Nadler said, "In the densely populated New York Metro area, ensuring the safe use of our roads is of the utmost importance. With so many vehicles, including buses, cars, and bicycles sharing the road in such a confined area, the programs created by these funds will help raise awareness that safety on the road is everyone’s responsibility. I thank Governor Cuomo for his leadership on this issue and look forward to working with him in the future to reduce the dangers on the road."

Congressman Gregory W. Meeks said, "Governor Cuomo and the Traffic Safety Committee’s awards will go a long way to improve road safety conditions. These statewide grants will help programs like those undertaken by the Nassau County Traffic Safety Board to decrease the likelihood of traffic accidents, especially around schools and community playgrounds. I commend Governor Cuomo for prioritizing these important investments in public safety and will continue to with him to ensure that our streets are safe."

Congressman Joe Crowley said, "When it comes to highway safety, a comprehensive approach is paramount to reducing road fatalities and serious injuries. That's why federal funding for these various initiatives is critical. I thank Governor Cuomo for his commitment in our shared effort to do everything we can to curb the hazardous conditions and behaviors that too often claim the lives of New Yorkers."

Congressman Steve Israel said, "These important federal investments will help our law enforcement by supporting highway safety programs to promote driver and child passenger safety. I am pleased to work with Governor Cuomo to secure these vital life-saving funds to keep Queens, Nassau and Suffolk families safe on the road."

Congressman Brian Higgins said, "An important piece of investing in our nation's infrastructure is seeing that those who use it can do so safely. This federal highway funding dedicated to education, enforcement, and technology will help ensure the safety of New Yorkers as they travel across our roads and bridges."

Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke said, "I commend Governor Cuomo and his Traffic Safety Committee for their commitment to protecting the safety of our families and children on the highways. We know that increasing compliance with seat belt laws, expanding the utilization of child safety devices, and educating the public about traffic safety has saved lives in New York State. In recent years, drivers and passengers have been using their seat belts more often and learning the proper method of keeping children safe in cars. This initiative will increase compliance and save even more lives in the future."

Congressman Paul Tonko said, "New York has one of the most expansive and well-trafficked road systems in the country, and it is important that we continue to find ways to make the residents and visitors of this state as safe as possible. For this reason, I thank Governor Cuomo for his continual efforts to make New York a leader in highway safety, and look forward to working with his office in the future to ensure we are doing everything necessary to improve all the infrastructure in our state."

Congressman Richard Hanna said, "This funding is made possible through the federal highway bill and importantly goes to our local police, health and nonprofit agencies to help keep our communities safe. Among the programs these funds will support include education services to ensure our children are safe and secure in their car seats. Congratulations to all our local recipients. I know these funds will be put to good use."

Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney said, "This new investment in highway safety will keep our neighbors and visitors safe as they travel through the Hudson Valley, all while growing the local economy and creating jobs. Safety should always be our first priority, and this investment shows that our state is committed to just that."

Congresswoman Kathleen Rice said, "One of the most tragic aspects of highway accident fatalities is knowing just how preventable so many are. Effective prevention efforts require smart and sustained investments in law enforcement, educational resources, technology and public awareness, and I’m very pleased that our state has secured this federal funding so that we can keep making our highways safer for all those who travel on them."

Congresswoman Elise Stefanik said, "This important funding will help increase highway safety for families across the North Country. This is good news for our community and I will continue to advocate in Congress for ways to improve our infrastructure and transportation safety."

Congressman Lee Zeldin said, "As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I am proud to partner with Governor Cuomo today to announce this important federal funding to promote highway safety on Long Island and throughout New York State. This funding will go a long way to keep our commuters safe, improve overall quality of life and boost the New York transportation system."

Congressman Dan Donovan said, "After the tragic deaths of two Staten Islanders this week, traffic safety is on all of our minds. While there was no criminal liability in this week's deaths, every step we take to educate drivers and to appropriately penalize those who endanger others is a step toward saving lives. Thank you to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Governor Cuomo for working to keep our streets safer."

Department of Motor Vehicles Executive Deputy Commissioner Terri Egan said, "Promoting safe driving is a top priority, and these important efforts are essential to get the word out not only to combat dangerous behaviors, but to promote positive messages, including proper child passenger restraint and bicycle and pedestrian safety. We look forward to working closely with this year’s grantees to ensure that we continually develop and implement new and innovative approaches to help make New York’s roadways even safer."

Through these types of investments, Governor Cuomo and the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee have helped make the roads much safer for New York's motorists. In August, Governor Cuomo announced that New York State hit a record 92 percent seat belt compliance in 2015, the sixth consecutive year that seat belt use has stayed at or above 90 percent. This news followed several statewide educational and enforcement initiatives to increase seat belt use by drivers and passengers, which were funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee.

The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee is comprised of 12 member agencies with missions related to transportation and safety, and coordinates traffic safety activities across the state.