There is established the Office of Highway Safety, which Office shall be under the direction and supervision of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security pursuant to Chapter 82 of this title.

(a) The Office of Highway Safety shall be administered by a Coordinator. The Office shall employ such personnel as required to meet the federal guidelines for a state agency responsible for highway safety in accordance with the Highway Safety Act of 1966, as amended [23 U.S.C. § 401 et seq.].

(b) All employees of the Federal-State Highway Safety Coordinator’s Office, heretofore established pursuant to executive order, including the Coordinator and Deputy Coordinator, shall be transferred to the Office of Highway Safety, and shall be deemed to be employees of such Office and employees of the State in classified service with all the benefits accrued as merit employees as of July 22, 1976.

(a) The Office of Highway Safety shall have all the powers, duties and functions heretofore vested in the Federal-State Highway Safety Coordinator’s Office established by executive order and such other powers, duties and functions conferred and mandated by the Highway Safety Act of 1966, as amended [23 U.S.C. § 401 et seq.].

(b) The Office of Highway Safety may solicit and receive subscriptions, donations, and other funds from individuals or organizations for the purpose of implementing highway safety programs and projects that support the mission of reducing traffic fatalities and injuries in Delaware.

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, the Office is authorized and directed to take such action with respect to matters involving personnel as may be necessary to insure the continued eligibility of this State for grants-in-aid under any federal law or program.