The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has awarded more than $70 million in grants and educational institutions to enhance commercial motor vehicle safety.

Most of the grant money was given out through the FMCSA’s High Priority grant program and Commercial Driver’s License Program Implementation grant program .The HP grant program consists of high priority commercial motor vehicle grants and innovative technology deployment grants. HP-CMV grants are designed to provide financial assistance to state commercial vehicle safety efforts, while HP-ITD grants provide financial assistance to advance the technological capability and promote the deployment of intelligent transportation system applications for CMV operations.

The goal of the national CDL program is to reduce the number and severity of commercial motor vehicle crashes in the United States by requiring states to conduct knowledge and skills testing before issuing a CDL, maintain a complete and accurate driver history record for anyone who obtains a CDL, and impose appropriate disqualifications against any driver who violates certain offenses. The program is part of the FMCSA’s efforts to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving large trucks and buses.

“Our shared goal of a safer transportation system is a top priority,” said Elaine Chao, U.S. Transportation Secretary. “These grants will further assist state and local officials in their efforts to prevent commercial motor vehicle crashes and injuries each year, and have the potential to save hundreds of lives.”

FMCSA announced:

• $41.5 million in High Priority (HP) grants to enhance states’ commercial motor vehicle safety efforts, as well as advance technological capability within states,

• $30.7 million in Commercial Driver’s License Program Implementation (CDLPI) grants to enhance efforts by states to improve the national commercial driver’s license (CDL) program, and

• $1 million in Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Training grants to nine education institutions to help train veterans for jobs as commercial bus and truck drivers. The nine grants are projected to provide training for more than 350 students. A full list of the grants can be found here.

“Safe drivers lead to safer roadways, and safer roadways ensure that our loved ones return home at the end of their journey,” said Daphne Jefferson, FMCSA deputy administrator.  “These grants will help ensure that our state partners have the tools and resources they need to support FMCSA’s mission of reducing crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving large trucks and buses.”

A full list of this year’s HP grant recipients can be found here.