Governor Stein Awards $25 Million in Highway Safety Grants

Governor Josh Stein announced Thursday that the North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program (GHSP) has awarded more than $25 million in new grants to improve road safety across the state. The funding, effective October 1, 2025, supports 119 local and state initiatives focused on reducing crashes, injuries, and fatalities through education, enforcement, and community outreach.

“No matter what form of transportation they choose, every North Carolinian should be able to travel safely each day,” Governor Stein said. “These grants will help us reduce traffic fatalities in North Carolina.”

The programs receiving funding include projects by law enforcement agencies, nonprofits, and educational institutions. Among the statewide initiatives are:

• Our Driving Concern, a coalition of employers promoting safe driving behaviors among the workforce.

• A statewide media campaign to educate drivers about roadside safety and compliance with North Carolina’s Move Over law.

  
  

NC Department of Transportation Secretary Daniel Johnson said the grants are part of North Carolina’s long-term Vision Zero initiative to eliminate roadway deaths. “Identifying and implementing improvements that increase the safety of the traveling public is one of NCDOT’s top priorities,” Johnson said.

Locally, two western North Carolina police departments will benefit from the latest round of GHSP funding:

• Forest City Police Department will receive $153,591 for a Traffic Enforcement Team project, including $130,552 in federal funds and $23,039 in state funds. The project funds a dedicated officer for high-visibility traffic safety enforcement. Rutherford County currently ranks 32nd in overall fatalities, 30th in fatality rate, 46th in unrestrained fatalities, and 39th in speeding-related fatalities statewide.

  
  

• Marion Police Department was awarded $93,379 to continue its own high-visibility traffic enforcement program. McDowell County ranks 63rd in overall fatalities, 72nd in unrestrained fatalities, 71st in speeding-related fatalities, 39th in speed-related crashes, and 28th in motorcyclist serious injuries.

  
  

“These grants provide law enforcement agencies and community organizations with the resources they need to address unsafe driving behaviors,” said GHSP Director Mark Ezzell. “By investing in data-driven, community-based efforts, we can make roads safer for everyone in North Carolina.”

The GHSP grants often serve as start-up funding to launch new safety initiatives, with agencies expected to sustain the programs after the grant period ends.

Applications for the next funding cycle — for the 2027 federal fiscal year beginning October 1, 2026 — will open in January.

A full list of this year’s award recipients is available at: GHSP Grant Awards.