Crash Data Collection Gets Minor Update
Published Date: 7/8/2026
Notice
Summary
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration wants to keep collecting important crash and traffic data but with some updates to how they do it. This affects drivers, researchers, and safety experts who rely on accurate info to make roads safer. They’re asking for public feedback by August 7, 2026, and the changes won’t cost extra but aim to make data collection smoother and smarter.
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Estimated Annual Burden Cut to 18,167 Hours
NHTSA revised its burden estimate for the CRSS/NTS collection from 42,680 annual burden hours to 18,167 hours for a data collection year when all studies are implemented. The estimated number of respondents to the collection is 1,367.
Non-Sampled PJ Crash Count Special Study Removed
NHTSA removed the planned Non-Sampled Police Jurisdiction (PJ) Crash Count Special Study from this information collection; removing it reduces burden by up to 21,307 annual hours (21,307 hours was the estimated annualized burden if conducted once in three years).
Manual Crash-Report Access Remains Labor-Intensive
For police jurisdictions that provide crash reports manually (not via electronic data transfer), NHTSA estimates a burden of 470 hours annually per PJ; 37 such PJs account for 17,390 hours of the CRSS/NTS burden.
CRSS Annual Public File Continues
Selected crashes are released to the public in the annual CRSS file after quality control; NHTSA states these data files are used by NHTSA and the public for highway safety research purposes.
CRSS/NTS Collection Extended Three Years
NHTSA is seeking OMB approval to extend with modification its Crash Report Sampling System (CRSS), Non-Traffic Surveillance (NTS), and Special Study data collection under OMB Control No. 2127-0714, with a requested expiration three years from the date of approval. The agency published the notice in the Federal Register on July 8, 2026 and is accepting public comments through August 7, 2026.
EDT States Have Much Lower Burden
For Primary Sampling Units providing crash reports through Electronic Data Transfer (EDT), NHTSA estimates only 5 hours of annual maintenance burden per State; the table lists 14 States under the EDT maintenance category (70 total hours).
No Additional Respondent Costs Estimated
NHTSA states there are no additional costs to respondents participating in the collection and estimates the total annual burden cost of this collection to be $0, while separately estimating staff-compensation-equivalent costs used for burden accounting.
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.
2026-13544 — Rivian Automotive, LLC, Grant of Petition for Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance
Rivian found a small labeling mix-up on about 1,278 of their 2022 electric delivery vans, but it doesn’t affect safety. The government agreed this issue is minor, so Rivian won’t have to fix or recall the vans. This means no extra costs or delays for owners or the company.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-13768 — Sunshine Act Meetings
The Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) Finance Subcommittee is holding an open meeting on July 9, 2026, to discuss updates on registration fees for 2027 and 2028. This affects trucking companies and carriers who pay these fees. The meeting is free to join online or by phone, and any fee changes could impact how much carriers pay next year.
Next: 2026-13770 — Grid Growth Ohio, LLC, Grid Growth Ohio EHV, LLC; Notice of Institution of Section 206 Proceeding and Refund Effective Date
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is checking if Grid Growth Ohio’s new pricing plan is fair or not. This affects customers and companies using their electricity rates, with possible money refunds starting July 8, 2026. If you want to speak up, you’ve got 21 days to join the conversation and make your voice heard!