Search Results for keywords:"NHTSA"

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is seeking approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for a new study to collect data on vehicle occupant body size, shape, posture, and motion. This research aims to improve occupant safety by developing new human body models and crash test dummies that better reflect current population characteristics. The study will involve recruiting 300 participants for in-lab measurements and 100 for in-vehicle studies and is focused on addressing gaps in data, particularly for female drivers and individuals with high body mass. Public comments are invited on the necessity, effectiveness, and potential improvements of this proposed information collection.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a rule allowing motorcycle manufacturers to use an internationally recognized symbol for the anti-lock brake system (ABS) malfunction indicator, providing them with more flexibility. This rule removes the previous letter height requirement if the ISO symbol is used but keeps it for text-only labels. NHTSA made this decision after hearing from manufacturers that changing the telltale would be costly and would not improve safety. The rule includes technical corrections and updates to ensure alignment with international standards, without imposing additional costs on manufacturers, particularly benefiting small businesses.

This final rule, implemented by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), fulfills requirements of the Motor Vehicle Safety Whistleblower Act. It offers rewards to whistleblowers who provide original information regarding motor vehicle defects, noncompliance, or violations that might lead to severe injury or death, if this information aids in successfully resolving enforcement actions. The rule details procedures for submitting information, eligibility for awards, maintaining confidentiality, and factors in award determination. It aims to motivate employees of car manufacturers, part suppliers, and dealerships to report serious safety issues by clarifying protections and ensuring confidentiality.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is proposing a new rule to improve how vehicle recall notifications are sent to owners. Thanks to the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) and the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act), this rule would require electronic notifications alongside traditional first-class mail. The aim is to ensure more people are informed about recalls for vehicles or equipment with safety defects. NHTSA seeks public feedback on this proposal and plans to gradually implement it, allowing manufacturers enough time to adapt.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a final rule to modify event data recorders (EDRs) requirements. The rule changes the duration and frequency at which EDRs record pre-crash data from 5 seconds at 2 Hz to 20 seconds at 10 Hz. These changes, effective by September 2027 for most manufacturers, aim to provide investigators with better data to understand vehicle crashes. The rule responds to a mandate by the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act and includes allowances for small-volume and limited-line manufacturers to comply by later dates.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a final rule to amend safety standards for child restraint systems in vehicles. The goal is to improve the ease of use and effectiveness of lower and tether anchorages in cars, fulfilling the MAP-21 mandate. The new regulations include clearer labeling, standardized anchorage configurations, and improved testing tools to ensure child safety systems are more user-friendly. The rule includes a phased implementation starting in September 2028 to allow manufacturers time to incorporate these changes into vehicle designs.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) proposes a voluntary program called the ADS-equipped Vehicle Safety, Transparency, and Evaluation Program (AV STEP) for vehicles with automated driving systems (ADS). The program aims to review and oversee these vehicles, focusing on safety and public transparency. Participants can apply to perform specific operations or seek exemptions from certain safety standards. The program is designed to help NHTSA monitor the safe development of ADS while collecting data that could inform future safety standards.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is seeking public comments on its plan to continue collecting information for the National Driver Register (NDR). This register helps states exchange information about drivers who have had their licenses suspended or revoked or who have been convicted of severe driving offenses. All 50 states and the District of Columbia participate in this program, which is intended to improve traffic safety by keeping problem drivers off the roads. Comments on this proposal must be submitted by May 27, 2025.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an interim final rule in response to a petition from the Alliance for Automotive Innovation. This rule addresses when to increase the civil penalty rate for automobile manufacturers that do not meet corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards. The updated penalty rate will be enforced starting with the 2022 model year, unless a court decision is overturned. NHTSA has decided this rule to ensure fairness and avoid retroactive penalties, especially as manufacturers have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) wants to collect public opinions about their plan to redesign the 5-Star Safety Ratings on car window stickers. They will conduct market research that includes interviews and surveys to get feedback on how to make these labels clearer and more helpful for consumers when buying cars. This effort is part of the requirements of the 2015 Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act. People can submit comments on this proposed information collection by May 6, 2025, through various methods like the Federal eRulemaking Portal or mailing the Department of Transportation.