This website was archived in January 2019; it contains information and explanations of federal spending, revenues, debt, and budget process through FY2018.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is an agency within the Department of Transportation, established by the Highway Safety Act of of 1970. NHTSA is responsible for motor vehicle safety; highway safety behavioral programs; motor vehicle information; and automobile fuel economy programs.
NHTSA is charged with:
- reducing traffic crashes and deaths and injuries resulting from traffic crashes;
- establishing motor vehicle safety standards for motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment in interstate commerce;
- carrying out needed safety research and development; and
- operation of the National Driver Register.
Key Milestones in Highway Safety:
- 1966: Congress held a series of hearings regarding highway safety, passed legislation to make installation of seat belts mandatory, and enacted legislation creating the U.S. Department of Transportation.
- 1970: NHTSA was established by Title II of the Highway Safety Act of 1970.
- 1972: Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act (Pub.L. 92–513, 86 Stat. 947) expanded NHTSA’s scope to include consumer information programs.
- 1979: NHTSA created the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) to encourage manufacturers to build safer vehicles and consumers to buy them. Since that time, the agency has improved the program by adding rating programs, facilitating access to test results, and revising the format of the information to make it easier for consumers to understand.
- 2007: Final Rule requiring manufacturers to place NCAP star ratings on the automobile (“Monroney”) price sticker.
Key Statutes in Highway Safety:
- 1970: Title II of the Highway Safety Act of 1970, P.L. 91-605, 84 Stat. 1713.
- 1972: Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act (Pub.L. 92–513, 86 Stat. 947)
Key Regulations in Highway Safety:
NHTSA Budget (FY2020 Budget Authority):
- Highway Traffic Safety Grants: $724 million
- State and Community Safety Grants Program (Section 402) supports State highway safety programs designed to reduce crashes.
- The National Priority Incentive Grant Programs (Section 405) allow the Agency to make grant awards to States to encourage innovative solutions to drug- and alcohol impaired driving.
- Operations and Research Program: $211 million
- supports activities to reduce highway fatalities and prevent injuries by setting and enforcing Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and eliminating safety-related defects.
- Highway Safety Research and Development Programs: $155 million (Trust Fund contract authority)
- provides State and local partners with tools to combat impaired, distracted, and drowsy driving while encouraging pedestrian and bicycle safety, and development of best practices for emergency medical and trauma care systems;
- supports the National Driver Registry’s Problem Driver Pointer System, which helps to identify drivers who have been suspended for or convicted of serious traffic offenses, such as driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs;
- supports data collection and analysis.