NHTSA Seeks Input on Flashing Brake Lights and Driver Distance Judgment
Published Date: 5/26/2026
Notice
Summary
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) wants your thoughts on a new info collection about pulsating stop lamps, flashing lights, and how drivers judge distance. This affects drivers, car makers, and safety experts, aiming to improve road safety without costing much time or money. You’ve got until July 27, 2026, to share your comments and help shape safer driving tech!
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 2 mixed.
NHTSA launches brake‑light safety study
NHTSA plans a voluntary research study to evaluate pulsating stop lamps using up to 270 licensed drivers across three parts: 30 test‑track participants, 200 online survey participants, and 40 simulator participants. The agency will publish a technical report with the results and is seeking OMB approval for the new information collection.
Test‑track volunteers in Southwest Virginia
If you are a licensed driver near Blacksburg, VA (Southwest Virginia) and aged 21–65, you may be recruited for Part 1: a single instrumented vehicle test‑track session estimated at about 3 hours. The Part 1 target is 30 participants.
Online survey participants (crowdsourced)
If you are a licensed driver aged 21–65, you may join the Part 2 online survey (crowdsourcing platform) which targets 200 participants and is estimated to take about 0.5 hours per respondent. The survey presents 54 short animated trials and includes pre‑ and post‑questionnaires.
Simulator study in Minneapolis area
If you are a licensed driver near Minneapolis, MN and aged 21–65, you may be recruited for Part 3: a simulator study targeting 40 participants that requires three sessions totaling about 3.5 hours per participant and includes vision and screening requirements.
Time burden and zero annual cost estimate
NHTSA estimates the one‑time collection totals 386 burden hours (127 annual burden hours over 3 years) and reports an estimated total annual burden cost of $0; any travel costs are described as minimal and expected to be offset by honoraria provided to participants.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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