NHTSA Loosens Highway Safety Grant Red Tape Slightly
Published Date: 9/23/2026
Rule
Summary
Starting September 23, 2026, states getting highway safety grants don’t have to match their safety targets exactly with another federal program for fiscal year 2027. This change gives states more flexibility in setting goals to keep roads safer without risking their funding. It mainly affects state highway safety planners and could speed up how they plan and report their progress.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
FY2027 Waiver of Identical Safety Targets
Starting September 23, 2026, States applying for FY2027 highway safety grants do not have to make the performance targets in their triennial Highway Safety Plan (HSP) identical to the targets they report to FHWA in the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) annual report submitted August 31, 2026. You (State Highway Safety Offices and State DOTs) still must submit performance measures, and NHTSA encourages continued collaboration; States must meet the statutory July 1 triennial HSP submission deadline and the August 31 HSIP annual report deadline.
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Key Dates
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