NHTSA Updates Highway Safety Guidelines with Data Focus
Published Date: 6/3/2025
Notice
Summary
The Highway Safety Program Guidelines just got a smart upgrade! Four key rules about courts, impaired driving, prosecutor training, and seatbelt use now focus more on real traffic data and follow a new Executive order. States and safety programs should get ready to roll with these changes, which aim to save lives and keep roads safer.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Highway Safety Guidelines Revised
The notice revises four highway safety guidelines (Guideline Nos. 7, 8, 12, and 20) so state programs rely more on traffic safety data and to align with a recent Executive order. States and highway safety programs should prepare to implement these changes. The revisions aim to save lives and keep roads safer.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-11072 — Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 214; Side Impact Protection; Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 305a; Electric-Powered Vehicles: Electric Powertrain Integrity; Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 307; Fuel System Integrity of Hydrogen Vehicles
Starting July 6, 2026, car makers must follow updated safety rules that clean up old, outdated side-impact protection standards and fix related rules for electric and hydrogen vehicles. These changes make the rules clearer without adding new costs or big changes for manufacturers. If anyone wants to challenge the updates, they have until July 20, 2026, to speak up.
2026-08144 — Administrative Rulemaking, Guidance, and Enforcement Procedures
The Department of Transportation is bringing back and improving its rules for making new policies, giving guidance, and enforcing laws. This affects anyone involved in transportation regulations, making the process clearer and more consistent. These changes kick in on May 27, 2026, aiming to save time and avoid confusion without adding extra costs.
2026-05024 — Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Modernization of FMVSS No. 102 To Accommodate ADS-Equipped Vehicles
NHTSA wants to update a safety rule to help self-driving cars that don’t have steering wheels or gear shifts. They’re proposing to remove the need for a gear position display in these automated vehicles, cutting costs without hurting safety. If you have thoughts, speak up by April 15, 2026!
2026-05023 — Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Modernization of FMVSS No. 103 and FMVSS No. 104 To Accommodate ADS-Equipped Vehicles; Incorporation by Reference
NHTSA is updating rules for windshield defrosting, defogging, wiping, and washing to better fit self-driving cars that don’t have steering wheels or pedals. These cars won’t have to follow old rules meant for human drivers, cutting costs and unnecessary requirements without hurting safety. The changes kick in about six months after the final rule, and manufacturers can still add these features if they want.
2025-22674 — Public Hearing for Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards: The Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) Vehicle Rule III for Model Years 2022 to 2031 Passenger Cars and Light Trucks
The government is holding a virtual public hearing on January 7, 2026, about new fuel economy rules for cars and light trucks from 2022 to 2031. These rules aim to keep vehicles safer and more affordable while improving fuel efficiency. If you care about how much gas your car uses or how much you pay at the pump, this is your chance to speak up before the rules are finalized.
2026-11652 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Notice and Request for Comment; 49 CFR 583-Automobile Parts Content Labeling
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) wants to update and restart a rule that helps car makers label where their car parts come from. This change means more manufacturers will report, which adds some extra paperwork time each year. If you’re a car maker or just curious, you can share your thoughts by August 10, 2026—no cost, just your voice!
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-09987 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Main Fan Operation and Inspection (I-A, II-A, III, and V-A Mines); Correction
The Department of Labor fixed a mistake in a recent notice about main fan inspections at certain mines. They corrected the official control number to keep everything clear and official. This update doesn’t change any rules or costs but makes sure the paperwork is spot on.
Next: 2025-09992 — Certain Composite Intermediate Bulk Containers; Notice of Commission Decision Not To Review an Initial Determination Granting a Motion To Amend the Complaint and Notice of Investigation
The U.S. International Trade Commission decided to keep a change that updates the address of a company involved in a trade investigation. This affects the company named in the case but doesn’t change the investigation’s timing or money matters. Basically, the investigation keeps moving forward smoothly with the correct contact info.