Innovative Grants Aim to Enhance Road Safety in Communities Nationwide
Innovative Grants Aim to Enhance Road Safety in Communities Nationwide
On September 11, 2026, the National Safety Council (NSC) announced the recipients of the highly anticipated Road to Zero Community Traffic Safety Grants, funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). These grants aim to propel innovative strategies that make our roadways safer for all.
In 2025, NHTSA recorded a total of 36,640 lives tragically lost in traffic accidents, marking the lowest point for fatalities since 2019. This drop is attributed to the implementation of cutting-edge technologies, solid strategies, and effective safety campaigns devised to enhance the design of vehicles and roads, alongside promoting safer driving behaviors.
The Road to Zero Community Traffic Safety Grants represent an annual initiative designed to support creative efforts to minimize traffic-related injuries and fatalities. The selected recipients from 2026 have each championed evidence-based solutions that address perilous driving practices, enhance survivability post-accident, and innovate with genuine intent. These projects not only target immediate issues but also aim for broader, replicable results in improving public safety across the nation.
Leaders in Road Safety
NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison emphasized the significance of these initiatives by stating, "The Road to Zero Community Traffic Safety Grant program supports innovative solutions that save lives. We will never eliminate roadway deaths by maintaining the status quo."
In a similar vein, Lorraine Martin, NSC CEO and chair of the Road to Zero Coalition, underscored the role of innovation in tackling roadway safety issues: "This year's Community Traffic Safety Grant recipients demonstrate the importance of fostering innovation, promoting responsible driving behaviors, and encouraging new ideas to confront the ongoing crisis on our roadways."
This year’s grant recipients include:
- - Banks County Fire and EMS, Homer, GA: Aimed at reducing fatalities on high-speed roads, this initiative will focus on survivability during rural speed crashes.
- - Mehlville Fire Protection District, St. Louis, MO: This project, titled "From Scene to Survival," employs ultrasound-enhanced trauma care for victims of roadway accidents.
- - Transportation Research Center, Inc., East Liberty, OH: Conducting a data-driven pilot evaluation to identify effective strategies in advancing teen driver training.
- - Washington State University, Pullman, WA: Developing a toolkit aimed at reducing cannabis-related driving risks among young adults.
- - University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL: Focused on understanding injury trends in pediatric vulnerable road users to enhance safety measures.
Andrew Norris, training division battalion chief of Banks County Fire and EMS, expressed gratitude by stating, "We are beyond grateful to have been awarded a Road to Zero Community Traffic Safety Grant. This funding will provide our department with valuable training, resources, and tools to help make our roadways safer for our community and first responders."
The Community Traffic Safety Grants play a crucial role in the Road to Zero Coalition’s mission to pinpoint, trial, and disseminate promising approaches aimed at reducing roadway casualties. The coalition is a collaboration of nearly 2,000 transportation safety stakeholders committed to sharing evidence, best practices, and innovative solutions with communities nationwide.
For further details on the Road to Zero Community Traffic Safety Grants and to explore more about the coalition’s objectives, visit the National Safety Council's official website.
About the National Safety Council
As America’s leading nonprofit advocate for safety, the National Safety Council has championed public safety for over 110 years. Dedicated to eliminating preventable deaths and injuries, they focus primarily on safety in workplaces and on roads, fostering a culture of safety that extends beyond work into everyday life.
Connect with National Safety Council on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram for updates and more information.
Topics Policy & Public Interest）
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