National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is a federal agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation that is charged with reducing deaths, injuries, and economic losses resulting from motor vehicle crashes. The agency develops and implements safety programs related to occupant protection, vehicle safety standards, impaired driving, and distracted driving. NHTSA also investigates safety defects in vehicles and equipment and manages recall campaigns for defective products.

What does the federal government through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA do?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is responsible for reducing deaths, injuries and economic losses resulting from motor vehicle crashes. The agency works to improve motor vehicle safety through a combination of regulatory requirements, voluntary standards and dynamic partnerships with safety stakeholders.

NHTSA develops and enforces Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and Regulations to which manufacturers of motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment must conform. Within the NHTSA, the Office of Crash Avoidance Standards (OCAS) develops safety standards aimed at preventing crashes from occurring in the first place, while the Office of Vehicle Safety Research (OVSR) conducts and supports research on a broad range of vehicle safety issues.

In addition to setting and enforcing safety standards, NHTSA also provides grants to states and local communities to support a variety of traffic safety initiatives, such as impaired driving prevention and motorcycle safety programs. The agency also conducts public education campaigns on a variety of topics, including distracted driving and child passenger safety. Is NHTSA a government agency? Yes, NHTSA is a government agency. NHTSA is responsible for reducing deaths, injuries, and economic losses resulting from motor vehicle crashes.

What authority does NHTSA have?

NHTSA has the authority to regulate the safety of motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment in the United States. NHTSA is part of the Department of Transportation, which is responsible for overseeing the nation's transportation infrastructure. NHTSA's authority comes from the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, which was passed by Congress in 1966. The agency is tasked with setting safety standards for motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment, and conducting research on safety-related issues. NHTSA also has the authority to investigate safety defects in motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment, and to order recalls of defective products.

Why was the NHTSA created?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) was created in 1970 as part of the Department of Transportation (DOT) in order to help reduce traffic fatalities and injuries. The agency is responsible for setting and enforcing safety standards for motor vehicles and highways, conducting research on traffic safety, and educating the public about traffic safety. In addition, the NHTSA investigates and recalls defective vehicles and equipment.

How does the NHTSA test cars?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is responsible for conducting vehicle safety testing in the United States. NHTSA tests cars to ensure that they meet federal safety standards and to investigate potential safety defects.

NHTSA safety testing includes both crash tests and rollover tests. In crash tests, NHTSA uses dummies to simulate the occupants of a car during a collision. These tests are used to assess the effectiveness of a car's safety features, such as airbags and seatbelts. Rollover tests are used to evaluate the stability of a car's structure during a rollover accident.

NHTSA also investigates potential safety defects in cars. If NHTSA finds a safety defect, it can order a recall of the affected vehicles. NHTSA also provides safety information to consumers and educates the public about vehicle safety.