NHTSAs

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is a United States federal agency within the Department of Transportation dedicated to saving lives and reducing injuries on the nation’s roadways. Created in 1970 as part of the Highway Safety Act, NHTSA administers Federal motor vehicle safety programs and pursues a broad portfolio of regulatory, enforcement, and educational activities.

NHTSA sets and enforces Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) for motor vehicles and equipment, conducts defect investigations, and oversees vehicle recalls to address safety-related defects. It also conducts rulemaking, safety testing, and vehicle performance assessments, including the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) that provides consumer information on crashworthiness and crash avoidance.

Through its crash databases and research programs, NHTSA collects and analyzes data such as fatal crashes, injuries, and exposure to driving, and publishes annual road-safety statistics. NHTSA runs safety campaigns and provides grants to states for traffic safety programs, child passenger safety, seat belt use, drunk and distracted driving prevention, speed management, and pedestrian safety.

It collaborates with manufacturers, law enforcement, healthcare providers, researchers, and international partners to promote safer vehicle design, safer road behavior, and advanced technologies like assisted and autonomous driving systems, and vehicle-to-vehicle communications. The agency also hosts consumer safety information services, including recall notices and safety ratings, to help the public make informed choices.