NHTSA Vehicle Safety Rulemaking and Supporting Research: Calendar Years 2003-2006

This document announces the availability of a planning document that describes NHTSA's vehicle safety rulemaking priorities with supporting research through 2006. The plan includes those rulemaking actions of highest priority for the period 2003 to 2006, based primarily on the greatest potential protection of lives and prevention of injury, that fall within the immediate four-year time frame. In addition, NHTSA has considered the realistic likelihood for successful action, especially considering the reality of numerous worthwhile options competing for budgetary resources. The priorities were defined through extensive discussions within the agency, taking into account the views heard in recent years at public meetings and comments submitted to the agency via rulemaking notices and requests for comment. In addition, comments submitted by the public in response to a Request for Comments announcing the draft of this plan on July 25, 2002 (Docket No. NHTSA-2002-12391) were evaluated and incorporated, as appropriate, into the planned agency activities. The results produced by previous NHTSA rulemaking priority planning exercises also provided input to this process. While the plan includes other active areas, in addition to the rulemaking priorities, it discusses only a portion of all rulemaking actions the agency has begun or plans to undertake in the four-year period. The absence of a particular regulatory or research activity from the plan does not necessarily mean that the agency will not pursue it. Although the execution of a priority plan is affected by factors beyond its control (e.g., petitions, budgets, legislation), this plan provides a blueprint for regulatory action on those vehicle safety goals the agency considers its highest priorities.