Concerns About Safety Are Growing Due to NHTSA's Decreasing Workforce | Carscoops

      Hundreds of employees are departing, and funding reductions may be imminent.

      22 hours ago

      by Michael Gauthier

      The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is expected to see a workforce decrease of over 28%.

      Legislation that is being proposed could also eliminate millions in funding, impacting both research and safety initiatives.

      Safety organizations have banded together to express their concerns about these cuts, stating that the NHTSA has been significantly weakened.

      The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is essential for maintaining safety on American roads. While the agency is widely recognized for its recall efforts, it also engages in other vital activities, including investigations and promoting awareness of dangerous driving practices.

      Due to the agency's significance, there are worries about the anticipated workforce reduction of over 28%. According to information submitted to Congress, Reuters reports that NHTSA's staff will decrease from 772 to 555. This reduction is attributed to “financial incentive programs” aimed at encouraging voluntary departures, rather than the severe cuts often seen in other governmental agencies.

      Additionally, the NHTSA isn't the only agency facing staff losses, as both the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration are expected to shed more than 25% of their employees. Overall, the U.S. Department of Transportation is reported to lose 4,138 positions, resulting in a total workforce of 52,862.

      This is a significant reduction, but Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has stated that they are not cutting essential personnel involved in safety. Nonetheless, many experts express concern for the future of the NHTSA.

      More Cuts Could Be on the Way

      Yesterday, Consumer Reports along with other organizations voiced their opposition to “harmful cuts” to the NHTSA, proposed in the 2026 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations bill.

      In a letter, the coalition highlighted the urgency of the issue, pointing out that “Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of preventable injuries and deaths in the United States.” They noted that around 44,000 individuals die each year in traffic accidents, while about 2.6 million sustain injuries.

      Despite these alarming statistics, the proposed legislation seeks to cut over $10 million from NHTSA’s operations and research budget. Additionally, about $78 million in supplemental funding might also be rescinded, “hindering critical crash data collection and analysis, vehicle safety and behavioral research, as well as highway traffic safety initiatives.” The coalition expressed particular concern that such funding reductions could result in more layoffs or forced retirements, contributing to the disarray at the NHTSA.