NHTSA is Hosting
Electric Vehicle
Safety Symposium
May 14: The technical symposium on May 18 wiill bring together key stakeholders to share information on the status of safety activities related to the use of Li-ion batteries in vehicles designed for on-road use. Registration is required for the event, which will be at DOT's headquarters in Washington, D.C. Read More
'Click It or Ticket'
Ad Campaign Focuses
on the Fake-Out Artists
May 14: During NHTSA's "Click It or Ticket" crackdown -- May 21 through the Memorial Day Weekend -- law enforcement will mobilize coast-to-coast, day and night to deliver an important message to unbelted drivers, including drivers who try to fake it. Our new ad campaign focuses on a move known as the “fake-a-roony” -– quickly and momentarily pulling your belt across your chest when driving past a police car. 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: 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 Research Note: 2010 Motor Vehicle Crashes: Overview (Revised Feb. 2012) , This research note, previously released in December 2011, has been revised to reflect slight changes in the GES estimates. Coding errors were found in the data file shortly after the original postings. Those errors have been corrected and are reflected in this revised research note.
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 08, 2012U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Commends Alabama for Enacting Ban on Texting While Driving
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April 16, 2012U.S. Department of Transportation Releases Survey Analysis Showing Young People Are Least Likely to Speak Up About Distracted Driving as Passengers
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April 12, 2012USDOT Proposes Updated Safety Standard to Prioritize Braking Control, Reduce Risk of High-Speed Unintended Acceleration for Nation's Cars
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April 10, 2012Transportation Secretary LaHood Urges Parents to ‘Choose the Right Seat’ for Children in Cars
