Laws & regulations

The Institute actively participates in highway safety policy debates. The primary way we can influence policy is through the rulemaking process of federal agencies such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, whose regulations have the force of law.

The Institute occasionally submits petitions for regulations on unaddressed motor vehicle or highway safety issues or to amend existing regulations based on new data or technologies. More frequently, the Institute comments on rules proposed by the agencies to ensure the final outcome improves highway safety.

Although the Institute does not lobby, our experts are often invited to provide testimony about highway safety issues before Congress and state legislatures as lawmakers consider new legislation, review existing policies, and investigate agency regulatory activity.

The Institute submits amicus curiae (friend of the court) briefs in court cases that could affect laws concerning motor vehicle standards or highway safety.

Periodically, the Highway Loss Data Institute provides the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Office of Defects Investigation with insurance fire reports that describe comprehensive noncrash fire losses for passenger vehicles. Noncrash fire losses represent fire damage to vehicles not caused by collision or vandalism.

Petitions submitted by the Institute to government agencies concerning new regulations addressing motor vehicle and highway safety issues or amendments to existing rules

Comments submitted by the Institute to government agencies and other organizations concerning various motor vehicle and highway safety regulations

Testimony given by the Institute at committee hearings and public forums concerning various motor vehicle and highway safety issues

Amicus briefs filed by the Institute providing support in court cases where the outcomes affect laws concerning motor vehicle and highway safety

Insurance fire reports provided by the Highway Loss Data Institute to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration concerning noncrash fire losses for passenger vehicles

• April 2013, 2010-12 Passenger Cars, Pickups, SUVs, and Vans (PDF)
• December 2012, 2010-12 Passenger Cars, Pickups, SUVs, and Vans (PDF)
• September 2012, 2009-11 Passenger Cars, Pickups, SUVs, and Vans (PDF)
• April 2012, 2009-11 Passenger Cars, Pickups, SUVs, and Vans (PDF)
• December 2011, 2009-11 Passenger Cars, Pickups, SUVs, and Vans (PDF)
• September 2011, 2008-10 Passenger Cars, Pickups, SUVs, and Vans (PDF)
• April 2011, 2008-10 Passenger Cars, Pickups, SUVs, and Vans (PDF)
• December 2010, 2007-09 Passenger Cars, Pickups, SUVs, and Vans (PDF)
• September 2010, 2007-09 Passenger Cars, Pickups, SUVs, and Vans (PDF)