National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

US traffic deaths per VMT, VMT, per capita, and total annual deaths

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NHTSA Crash Test of the 2006 Honda Ridgeline.ogv

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is an agency of the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) that is responsible for implementing and enforcing federal highway safety laws. The NHTSA's mission is to save lives, prevent injuries, and reduce economic costs due to road traffic crashes, through education, research, safety standards, and enforcement activity. The agency was officially established by the Highway Safety Act of 1970.

History

The NHTSA was created in response to the increasing number of traffic fatalities and injuries in the United States during the 1960s. It was established as part of the Department of Transportation Act of 1966, but its specific mandate was outlined in the Highway Safety Act of 1970. The agency's formation was influenced by the book "Unsafe at Any Speed" by Ralph Nader, which criticized the auto industry's lack of concern for passenger safety.

Functions and Responsibilities

The NHTSA has a wide range of responsibilities, including:

• Setting and enforcing safety performance standards for motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment
• Investigating safety defects in motor vehicles
• Conducting research on driver behavior and traffic safety
• Administering the National Driver Register (NDR), which helps states share information about traffic violations and driver license suspensions
• Promoting the use of seat belts, child safety seats, and air bags
• Developing and enforcing regulations related to fuel economy, under the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards

Key Programs and Initiatives

The NHTSA oversees several key programs and initiatives aimed at improving road safety:

• The 5-Star Safety Ratings program, which provides consumers with information about the crash protection and rollover safety of new vehicles
• The Click It or Ticket campaign, which aims to increase seat belt use through education and enforcement
• The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, which focuses on reducing drunk driving
• The Distracted Driving initiative, which seeks to address the growing problem of texting and other distractions while driving

Regulatory Actions

The NHTSA has the authority to issue vehicle safety standards and to require manufacturers to recall vehicles that have safety-related defects or do not meet Federal safety standards. Over the years, the agency has issued numerous recalls for millions of vehicles for various safety issues.

Criticism and Controversies

The NHTSA has faced criticism and controversies, particularly regarding its perceived responsiveness to safety issues and its relationship with the automotive industry. Critics argue that the agency has sometimes been slow to address known safety problems, leading to preventable injuries and deaths.

See Also

• Department of Transportation
• Highway Safety Act
• Ralph Nader
• Unsafe at Any Speed

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