The United States Congress authorizes traffic safety funds to be appropriated to the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). NHTSA apportions and distributes these funds to the states. The states obligate these funds through the annual state Highway Safety Plan (HSP), which is subject to NHTSA review and approval. See “Manuals and Reports” on the for a link to the current Texas Traffic Safety Annual Report (HSP).

The Texas Behavioral Traffic Safety Program is primarily governed by federal regulations issued by NHTSA.