The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced $171 million in grants to 19 states and territories to upgrade and standardize their crash data systems.

The system upgrades will improve the accuracy, timeliness, and accessibility of fatality information, including data about pedestrians and cyclists, through enhanced intrastate data sharing and electronic transfers to NHTSA.

The states and territories selected for awards are American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah and West Virginia.

More state data coming to NHTSA faster will enable the agency to put the information to work to develop effective and responsive strategies, countermeasures, research, rulemakings and consumer education campaigns.