The U.S. Virgin Islands has received two grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation to educate and protect motorists, Gov. John deJongh Jr. announced Friday.
The territory will receive a $30,679 State Traffic Safety Information System Improvements grant and a $35,987 Occupant Protection grant, deJongh learned in a letter from David L. Strickland, administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
“These grants will help our Virgin Islands Office of Highway Safety promote safe driving, safe vehicles and safe passengers and pedestrians," the governor said. "The money will fund efforts to implement a better system to keep traffic records and also encourage more Virgin Islands motorists to wear their seat belts, as required by law.”
“On behalf of Secretary of Transportation Anthony R. Foxx and myself, thank you for your continued personal support for these lifesaving highway safety efforts that will result in future reductions in highway crashes, injuries and deaths in the Virgin Islands,” Strickland wrote de Jongh.
The grants are disbursed from the the National Priority Safety Programs, which was established by the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act.