NHTSA wants states to keep sending crash data along
Published Date: 10/30/2026
Notice
Summary
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is asking for approval to keep collecting vehicle crash data from states through the State Data Transfer program. This helps improve road safety by sharing important crash info. If you have thoughts, you can comment by November 30, 2026, and this process won’t cost states extra money but keeps the data flowing smoothly.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
States face measurable time and cost burden
State participants in the State Data Transfer (SDT) program collectively account for an estimated 14,389 total annual burden hours. NHTSA estimates an annual burden cost figure of $6,262,231.02 and a total labor cost shown in the rulemaking of $2,214,365.90.
SEDC grantees must provide 20% grant match and align standards
States that receive SEDC grants must provide a 20% non‑Federal match of each grant award and commit to aligning their crash repositories with MMUCC Sixth Edition standards at a minimum of 25% to 34%. NHTSA reports an average SEDC non-labor burden of about $569,293.73 per State beyond labor, and an average labor burden of about $198,512.65 for some states.
Automated transfers reduce manual reporting work
The SDT program uses nightly automated electronic data transfer (EDT) in XML or JSON formats so States send Police Crash Report data and crash images electronically. NHTSA says automated SDT data eliminates manual, redundant data entry into Federal databases and reduces the administrative and technical burden on States.
Transition schedule to SEDC ends by January 1, 2030
NHTSA reports that 10 Non‑SEDC States that have SEDC grants will transition to SEDC transmission requirements by January 2030, with roughly three States migrating per year until that deadline. The agency projects averages for implementation and maintenance phases across the next three years.
Participation and data fields remain voluntary
Participation in the SDT program, FARS, the SEDC grant program, and the Non‑SEDC electronic data transfer protocol is voluntary. NHTSA stated it lacks statutory authority to require specific crash-report fields and published a denial of a related mandate in April 2025.
Legacy SDS protocol sunset reduces old burden
NHTSA is removing (sunsetting) the legacy State Data System (SDS) protocol, and the rule states this removes the associated State burden previously imposed by the SDS method of annual electronic media transfers.
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Key Dates
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