NHTSA Keeps Tabs on Your Car's Crash Diary
Published Date: 3/20/2026
Notice
Summary
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is asking for approval to continue collecting info from event data recorders (EDRs), the gadgets in cars that record safety and driving data. This affects car makers and safety researchers who use this info to improve vehicle safety. Comments on this plan are open until April 20, 2026, and the goal is to keep gathering useful data without adding extra hassle or costs.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
EDR Data Supports Crash Research and Safety Work
NHTSA will continue collecting standardized event data recorder (EDR) information so safety researchers, vehicle manufacturers, and the agency can analyze crashes, improve vehicle designs, support crash investigations, and help identify safety defects such as unintended acceleration. The collection is intended to support enforcement of recalls and other highway safety programs.
Continued EDR Technical Requirements for Manufacturers
If you make vehicles, Part 563 requires that voluntarily equipped vehicles with a GVWR of 3,855 kg (8,500 lb) or less record 15 required data elements (and up to 30 additional elements if capable), store data in a standardized format, remain functional after FMVSS Nos. 208 and 214 crash tests, have capacity to record two events, and allow data to be downloadable 10 days after a crash test. NHTSA estimates about 20 manufacturers are affected, with an estimated 15,230,000 annual responses; the agency requests reinstatement of the information collection for three years from the date of approval.
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