NHTSA Eyes Driver Eyeballs: Comment on Monitoring Tech Study
Published Date: 4/10/2026
Notice
Summary
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) wants to try out a new way to study how drivers use Level 2 driver support systems with Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS). This is a one-time, voluntary experiment, and they’re asking for public comments by May 11, 2026. If approved, this could help make driving safer without costing drivers extra money or time.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
One‑time voluntary DMS/L2 driver study
NHTSA plans a one-time, voluntary research study of drivers' interactions with SAE Level 2 systems that include Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS). The study would involve up to 264 licensed drivers (adults aged 18–64), with virtual focus groups nationwide and an on‑road portion in the greater Phoenix, Arizona area.
Time burden and opportunity cost for participants
If you participate, you will spend time on screening, consent, questionnaires, and either virtual focus groups or an on‑road drive. NHTSA estimates the full study totals 946 burden hours across participants, an annual burden of 318 hours, a planned 55‑minute on‑road drive (plus other tasks totaling about 135 minutes for the on‑road session), and an estimated aggregate participant opportunity cost of $10,779.01.
Aggregated findings to be published publicly
NHTSA will produce a technical report with aggregated tables and summary figures that will be shared across the Department of Transportation and made available to the public; no identifying information or individual responses connected to identifiers will be reported.
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