NHTSA Crowdsources Drowsiness Detection for Safer Roads
Published Date: 8/26/2026
Notice
Summary
NHTSA wants your thoughts on a new plan to study how driver monitoring systems can spot drowsy drivers. This research will help create a test to keep sleepy drivers safer on the road. If you’re involved in car safety or just care about safer driving, you can share your comments by October 26, 2026—no cost to you, just your voice!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
You can be paid to join DMS study
If you join the study in the Phoenix, AZ or Iowa City, IA areas, you will be paid. Test-track participants are offered $400 plus up to $25 for transportation. Driving-simulator participants are offered $230, $290, or $350 depending on their overnight visit start time.
Significant time required to participate
Participating takes real time: the combined study burden is estimated at 320.5 hours total (test track + simulator) and the annual estimated burden is 106.8 hours. Individual study visits include tasks such as a 2-hour study drive, waiting periods, training, questionnaires, and debriefing.
Pre-study rules and testing conditions
To be eligible and to take part you must follow pre-study rules: for test-track drives you will be assigned one of three drive times (11:00 p.m., 1:30 a.m., or 4:00 a.m.), must wake at least 16 hours before the drive, and must refrain from napping or consuming caffeine within the final 13 hours before the drive. Simulator participants must also refrain from napping, exercise, caffeine, alcohol, and other drug use before the overnight visit. Test-track participants will undergo a breathalyzer test and drives will be recorded with cameras and a driver monitoring system.
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Key Dates
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