FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GRANTS TO COMBAT HIGHWAY CRASHES OFFERED BY MARYLAND MVA
Applicants Encouraged to Attend Seminar Sponsored by MVA's Highway Safety Office

Glen Burnie, MD (January 22, 2013) – To help address an epidemic of motor vehicle crashes, the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration's Highway Safety Office (MHSO), is awarding grants to encourage safer roadways.  The grants are given on an annual basis to develop statewide projects that support highway safety throughout Maryland.  State and local agencies are encouraged to apply.  Training for applicants interested in grant funding is offered on Thursday, February 14, 2013 at the Motor Vehicle Administration Headquarters in Glen Burnie, MD 21060.  Seating is limited.

"Motor vehicle crashes continue to be the leading cause of death in the United States among people age 4 through 34.  Maryland is no exception to this trend," said MVA Administrator John Kuo.  "The MHSO grants and the training help reduce the more than 97,000 motor vehicle crashes in the state.  Nearly 500 Maryland citizens are killed and over 49,000 injured on our roads each year."

The MHSO, which administers the grants, encourages State and local government agencies, institutions of higher education, hospitals, associations and other non-profit and not-for profit groups to develop projects that address the "four Es of highway safety" – Education, Enforcement, Engineering, and Emergency Medical Services.  Competitively awarded, funding is provided to innovative and creative projects that work toward driving down motor vehicle crashes, injuries and fatalities.  It is important that the projects be driven by data and proven with implemental countermeasures.

To qualify for funding for Federal Fiscal Year 2014, which runs from October 1, 2013 through September 30, 2014, everyone who is new to the MHSO grant application process is encouraged to attend the training seminar.  Applicants will:

• find out about the various highway safety funds that are available;
• learn about traffic statistics and traffic safety priorities;
• learn about current highway safety programs;
• discover how their agencies can fit into Maryland's overall highway safety plan;
• learn about the MHSO administrative requirements for highway safety grants; 
• learn about eligible costs and reimbursement procedures; 
• learn about the MHSO electronic grant system, SHARP and
• meet and network with MHSO staff.
  

Anticipated projects must be statewide or "pilot" in nature and specifically correlate to a highway safety program area.  Examples such as impaired driving, occupant protection, aggressive driving, pedestrian and bicycle safety, motorcycle safety, young and senior driver safety, inattentive and drowsy driving, as well traffic enforcement and emergency medical services are eligible.  Funding applications are due April 1, 2013.

"Who should attend the seminar?  Preferably, the person most likely to be directly responsible for managing the project," added Administrator Kuo.  "However, any other interested parties are also encouraged to participate."

For more information on this event or to register, please contact Mrs. Natisha Galloway.  Mrs. Galloway may be reached at 410-787-4050, or via email at ngalloway@mdot.state.md.us.  Registration for the training seminar should be faxed to her attention at 410-787-4020.

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