The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is a U.S. government agency that was created in 1970 to help reduce deaths, injuries, and property damage from motor vehicle crashes. The NHTSA has several responsibilities, including setting and enforcing safety standards for vehicles and equipment, conducting research on motor vehicle safety, and providing consumer information about vehicle safety.
In the 1990s, the NHTSA focused on a number of key issues related to motor vehicle safety. These included increasing seat belt use, reducing drunk driving, and improving the safety of sport utility vehicles (SUVs). The NHTSA also worked to improve the safety of child restraints and to make airbags more effective. In addition, the agency developed new safety ratings for vehicles to help consumers make informed decisions when purchasing a car.