5 recommendations to enhance safety in the automotive industry: A review of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s New Car Assessment Program

As the automotive industry continues to advance, new vehicles are being outfitted with driver assistance technologies aimed at improving safety on the road. These technologies have the potential to prevent crashes and reduce fatalities. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) oversees the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) to inform consumers about vehicle safety features, including driver assistance technologies, to help them make informed purchasing decisions.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has put forth five recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of NCAP. One of the recommendations is for NHTSA to finalize its NCAP roadmap, which will outline the agency’s strategy for updating and improving the program. Additionally, GAO suggests that NHTSA should communicate its progress in meeting deadlines for updating NCAP to ensure transparency and accountability. It is also recommended that NHTSA provide information to consumers about the limitations of partial driving automation systems on its website to promote awareness and understanding of these technologies.