WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons, and Representative John Carney today announced two Department of Transportation grants totaling $381,196 for Delaware programs that encourage highway safety and reduce fatalities and injuries due to motor vehicle accidents.

"Delaware seessome of the heaviest traffic in the country flow through its corridors," Senator Carper said. "That's why its important to constantly look for ways to improve the safety and efficiency of our highways, and this grant will help us achieve these goals.”

“Each year, far too many Delawareans die or are injured as a result of not wearing a seat belt,” Senator Coons said. “Delaware has established strong highway safety policies and our law enforcement officials must have the resources they need to fully implement them on our roadways. This grant will help support the efforts of law enforcement to enforce commonsense safety regulations that prevent injury and save lives.”

“We’ve come a long way on seat belt use and road safety,” said Congressman Carney. “But every year, Delawareans die or are seriously injured when motorists don’t follow the laws we have in place. This funding will support the state’s highway safety programs and help our law enforcement officers ensure that driving in Delaware is as safe as possible.”

The grants, $346,910 for Occupant Protection and $34,286 for Motorcyclist Safety programs, were awarded to the Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security. The funding, authorized under MAP-21, Section 405, is awarded to states whose safety regulations meet established criteria in several designated categories. These grants will enhance the ability of Delaware law enforcement and the Office of Highway Safety to increase seat belt use through initiatives like its annual Click It or Ticket campaign, and strengthen motorcycle safety and awarenessprograms in the state.