The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is in the process of re-evaluating their various regulatory and other safety programs. As a key step in this process, NHTSA has published a four year (2004-2007) Program Evaluation Plan that "presents and discusses the vehicle and behavioral programs, regulations, technologies and related areas NHTSA proposes to evaluate, and it summarizes the findings of past evaluations."

The issues NHTSA is currently evaluating, will be evaluating or considering for evaluation range from on-off switches for air bags to glare problems with light truck headlamps to evaluating the effectiveness of various anti-drunk driving programs.

NHTSA is currently seeking comment on their Program Evaluation Plan. Comments may be made to NHTSA over the internet by going to their electronic docket at http://dms.dot.gov/. Comments are due no later than May 26, 2004. The docket number is: NHTSA-2004-16932. For further information from NHTSA, contact: Charles J. Kahane, Chief, Evaluation Division, ckahane@nhtsa.dot.gov.

Light Truck Forum readers are very important stakeholders. It is important that you make your views known to NHTSA on the issues important to you. This is a great opportunity to influence government policies.

If you have any questions on the Program Evaluation Plan or how to effectively make your voice heard before NHTSA, please contact Light Truck Forums administrator at levinson@TheCRE.com.

Click here for NHTSA Federal Register Notice (http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/E4-114.pdf)

Click Here for NHTSA Evaluation Program Plan (http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/regrev/evaluate/809699.html)