May 17, 2011

Manchin, Rockefeller to Announce $844,651 to Support Highway Safety Programs

Washington, D.C.— U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller (both D-W.Va.) today announced that the West Virginia Governor’s Highway Safety Office will receive $844,651 from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to support highway safety programs across West Virginia.

The funding will be used to help West Virginia develop and implement highway safety programs designed to reduce traffic crashes, deaths, injuries and property damage.  A variety of public safety initiatives will include conducting data analyses to monitor statewide driving behaviors, developing effective safety education programs, establishing community-based pedestrian safety measures and initiating safety-related engineering projects. 

“In West Virginia, we drive to survive, so it is especially important that we ensure the safety of drivers and passengers on our roads,” Senator Manchin said. “I am pleased that these funds will help us invest in programs that prevent traffic accidents and keep West Virginia families safe.”  

“Highway safety funding is a necessary investment that will make our roads safer for all drivers,” said Rockefeller, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. “It’s important that the Department of Transportation made these funds available for programs that enforce safety laws and reduce vehicle crashes – it’s a win-win for West Virginia families and people traveling in and doing business in our state every day.”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration aims to support plans that provide alcohol prevention measures, police traffic enforcement, emergency medical services, motorcycle safety, pedestrian and bicycle safety, roadway safety and speed controls.

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