Maine Bureau of Highway Safety – Augusta, ME

Behavioral Traffic Safety

The Maine Bureau of Highway Safety (MeBHS), headquartered at 45 Commerce Drive, is a specialized division within the Department of Public Safety. Established in accordance with the Highway Safety Act of 1966, this bureau serves as the state’s focal point for administering federal highway safety grants. Its primary goal is to reduce fatalities, injuries, and property damage on Maine’s roadways through behavioral intervention rather than engineering.

Grant Administration and Programs

The Bureau manages Federal Section 402 funds and other incentive grants from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). These funds support a variety of statewide initiatives executed by law enforcement agencies and community partners, including:

• Impaired Driving Prevention: Funding for OUI checkpoints, saturation patrols, and the ”Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign.
• Occupant Protection: Initiatives to increase seat belt usage through the ”Click It or Ticket” enforcement mobilizations and child passenger safety education.
• Speed and Distracted Driving: Programs designed to combat speeding and the use of electronic devices while driving.

Data and Training

MeBHS is responsible for collecting and analyzing crash data to identify trends and high-risk areas. This data-driven approach informs the allocation of resources and the development of the state’s annual Highway Safety Plan. Additionally, the bureau oversees the Maine Driving Dynamics course, a defensive driving program available to the public, and coordinates training for Child Passenger Safety Technicians.