Drivers Support Connected Vehicle Technology, Appreciate Safety Benefits
May 22: Research finds majority of "driver acceptance clinic" participants react favorably to technology allowing vehicles to communicate safety messages to avoid crashes. Read More
NHTSA Hosts
Electric Vehicle
Safety Symposium
May 18: Technical workshop brought together key stakeholders and experts in lithium-ion battery technology to discuss existing federal and industry standards, encourage collaboration on current and future safety issues. Read More
Early Estimate of
2011 Motor Vehicle
Traffic Fatalities
May 7: A statistical projection of traffic fatalities in 2011 shows that an estimated 32,310 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes. This represents a decline of about 1.7 percent as compared to the 32,885 fatalities in 2010. If these projections are realized, fatalities will be lowest on record (since 1949). Read More
Parents Urged to Choose the Right Seat for Children in Cars
April 10: Launch of new public service announcements (PSAs) aimed at raising awareness about the importance of choosing the right child safety seat and making sure it is installed properly. In addition, NHTSA is launching Parents Central, a new one-stop shop with tools and resources for keeping kids safe in and around cars. Read More
NHTSA Campaigns to Prevent Child Heatstroke Deaths in Cars
April 3: With unseasonably warm temperatures already in many areas of the country, NHTSA announced its first-ever national campaign to prevent child heatstroke deaths in cars, urging parents and caregivers to think "Where's baby? Look before you lock." Heatstroke is the leading cause of non-crash, vehicle-related deaths for children under 14, with at least 33 fatalities reported in 2011 alone. Read More
NHTSA Offers Tips
for Safe Travel in
15-Passenger Vans
March 22: As the spring driving season gets under way, NHTSA is urging colleges, church groups, and other users of 15-passenger vans to take specific steps to keep drivers and passengers safe — including buckling up every trip, every time. The agency also warns users never to overload these vehicles under any circumstances. Read More
Sign Up Now to Get
Email Recall Alerts
For Your Vehicles
NHTSA has made it easier and faster to receive important email alerts on recalls for up to 5 vehicles. You can also subscribe for alerts on recalls for child seats and tires. Read More
Key Issues
Recent Research & Data
- NCSA Research Note: Motor Vehicle Traffic Crashes as a Leading Cause of Death in the United States, 2008 & 2009, For the first time since 1981 (when data was first available), motor vehicle traffic crashes were not among the top 10 causes of death in the United States. Motor vehicle crashes were the 11th leading cause of death in 2009. In 2008, motor vehicle traffic crashes were the 9th leading cause of death overall. Fatalities in motor vehicle crashes have declined by about 25 percent since 2005, influenced largely by a significant drop in crashes and fatalities involving the younger population.
- NCSA Research Note: Motorcycle Helmet Use in 2011 – Overall Results, The use of DOT-compliant motorcycle helmets increased significantly to 66 percent in 2011, up from 54 percent in 2010. This percentage is based on the National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS) the only survey that provides nationwide probability-based observed data on helmet use in the U.S.
- NCSA Crash*Stats: Lives Saved in 2010 by Restraint Use and Minimum Drinking Age Laws, In 2010, the use of seat belts in passenger vehicles saved an estimated 12,546 lives. Lives saved have been produced by NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics & Analysis since 1975. The counts are estimates that are calculated using the effectiveness of each device or law that is mentioned.
NCSA Traffic Safety Fact Sheet 2010 “Alcohol-Impaired Driving”, The fact sheet presents detailed data about 2010 fatal alcohol-impaired driving crashes in which there were 10,228 persons killed. A total of 9,695 drivers (85%) who were involved in fatal crashes had a BAC level at or above .08. The most frequently reported BAC was 0.18. The rate of alcohol impairment among fatally involved drivers was four times higher at night than during the day.
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May 25, 2012NHTSA Unveils New Design for EMS.gov
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May 22, 2012New DOT Research Shows Drivers Support Connected Vehicle Technology, Appreciate Potential Safety Benefits
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May 21, 2012U.S. Transportation Secretary LaHood Kicks Off Annual 'Click It or Ticket' Campaign to Increase Seat Belt Use
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May 18, 2012NHTSA Hosts Technical Workshop on Electric Vehicle Safety
