On January 18, 2012, the New York Times published an article regarding a recent study conducted by the National Science Agency (NSA) on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) regulation of increasingly complex electronic systems in automobiles. The study specifically assessed the NHTSA’s role in investigating recent Toyota acceleration issues. The NSA concluded that the NHTSA does not currently have the necessary knowledge to successfully oversee the increasingly complex electronic systems used in vehicles.

The National Science Agency expanded on its conclusion and added recommendations on how the NHTSA could improve its regulation of electronics systems in automobiles. The NSA recommended that the NHTSA improve its current investigative techniques, further develop its technical help, and advocate for the installation of black boxes in cars, which would allow recording of car crash data. Furthermore, the NSA encouraged the NTSA form an advisory panel of experts to assist the regulatory agency in conducting reviews and investigations.

According to the article, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will review the recommendations presented by the National Science Agency’s study.

See the full New York Times article at:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/19/business/group-proposes-nhtsa-add-expertise-in-electronics.html