Senate Confirms Steven Cliff as Administrator of National Highway Safety Traffic Administration

The US Senate announced on Monday that it has confirmed Steven Cliff as Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Cliff’s confirmation comes as the agency has set a 16-year record for road deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic. In his new role, Cliff will oversee the implementation of new safety requirements in bipartisan infrastructure law, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist and impaired driving detection technology. . The BIL also includes historic funding for NHTSA Traffic Safety Grants to help states and cities address distracted and impaired driving and improve occupant protection and pedestrian safety.

“We need strong federal leadership to address the safety crisis on our highways,” said Senator Cantwell. “The number of deaths in vehicles has increased by 18% since the start of the pandemic. Quick action is needed from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to implement the rescue mandates in the bipartisan infrastructure law, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance and prevention impaired driving. Dr. Cliff provides the agency with the leadership it needs to address this unacceptable loss of life.

In May, NHTSA announced its findings regarding road deaths in 2021. The agency estimated that the number of fatalities hit a 16-year high in 2021, with an estimated 42,915 fatalities from motor vehicle crashes. engine over the past year, up 10% from the 38,824 recorded in 2020. The increase represents the highest road fatality rate since 2005 and the largest percentage increase in the history of the Fatality Analysis Reporting System, the agency said.