Description
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration?s MCSAP basic and incentive grant programs provide financial assistance to States and U.S. Territories to reduce the number and severity of crashes and hazardous materials incidents involving commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). MCSAP strives to achieve this goal through consistent, uniform, and effective CMV safety programs. Improving the safety of the Nation's transportation system is a top priority of the U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary LaHood. To meet this priority, the FMCSA established a goal of reducing the rate of large truck- and bus-related fatalities to no more than 0.16 per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT) by 2011 from a baseline rate of 0.184 per 100 million VMT in 2005. Recent figures show that: In 2008, the rate of large truck- and bus-related fatalities dropped to 0.152 per 100 million VMT. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicates that the truck-involved fatality rate on the Nation's roadways declined 12 percent in 2008 compared to 2007. The number of truck-related crash fatalities dropped from 4,822 in 2007 to 4,229 in 2008. These figures demonstrate solid progress in reducing the large truck- and-bus fatality rate; however, we must continue to focus on innovative CMV safety strategies if we are to maintain these impressive results. Investing grant monies in appropriate CMV safety programs increases the likelihood that safety defects, driver deficiencies, and unsafe motor carrier practices are detected and corrected before they become contributing factors to crashes. MCSAP sets forth the conditions for participation by States and Territories and promotes the adoption and uniform enforcement of safety rules, regulations, and standards compatible with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) and Federal Hazardous Material Regulations (HMRs) for both interstate and intrastate motor carriers and drivers. At present, FMCSA is operating under an extension of the Public Law 109-59, which will expire December 31, 2010. While the Agency expects a new multi-year authorization to make changes to its grant programs, the Agency is preparing for FY 2011 using the assumption that the MCSAP basic and incentive grant programs will not be amended at the outset for this fiscal year. Sections 4101 and 4107 of SAFETEA-LU authorize the Motor Carrier Safety Grants funding. MCSAP basic and incentive grants are governed by 49 USC 31102-31104 and 49 CFR Part 350. Under the basic and incentive reimburseable grant programs, a State lead MCSAP agency, as designated by the Governor, is eligible to apply for basic and incentive grant funding by submitting a commercial vehicle safety plan (CVSP), in accordance with the provisions of 49 CFR 350.201 and 205. Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 31103(a), FMCSA will reimburse each State's lead MCSAP agency 80 percent of eligible costs incurred in a fiscal year. Each lead agency will provide a 20 percent match of funds to qualify for the program. No match is required for the Territories with the exception of Puerto Rico. See 49 CFR 350.305. The Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program is authorized by the following: 49 U.S.C. 31100-31104, 31108, 31136, 31140-31141, 31144, 31161.