NHTSA Seeks Input on Safer Car Drive Modes to Boost Focus
Published Date: 2/11/2026
Notice
Summary
NHTSA wants your thoughts on a new study about how different drive modes affect driver focus and safety. This one-time, voluntary experiment aims to find the best ways to design car drive modes that keep drivers alert and safe. If you have ideas, send them in by April 13, 2026—your input could help shape safer car tech without costing you a dime!
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Participant Payment Amounts
Individuals who take part will be paid: $375 for participating in the test track study and $300 for participating in the cones course study. Participation is voluntary and there are no other required costs to respondents.
Who NHTSA Will Recruit to the Study
NHTSA plans a one-time, voluntary experiment recruiting licensed drivers in the greater Phoenix, Arizona area between ages 18 and 60. The project will screen about 300 people to identify up to 96 eligible participants (goal: 36 final participants per experiment) with equal numbers of males and females.
Time Burden for Participants
The total expected burden for the information collection is 331 hours (screening, consent, and study drives); the annual estimated burden is 111 hours. Screening involves about 300 people at 15 minutes each; test track drives are about 160 minutes and cones course drives about 130 minutes per participant.
How Collected Data Will Be Used and Shared
NHTSA will publish a technical report with aggregated summary figures and statistical results; no personally identifiable information or individual responses will be reported. The technical report will be shared with NHTSA, DOT, and made available to the public via the National Transportation Library.
Public Comment Deadline and OMB Approval
NHTSA is requesting public comments on this proposed information collection by April 13, 2026, before seeking OMB approval. If approved, the requested OMB approval would expire three years from the date of approval.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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