NHTSA Seeks OMB Approval to Extend Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and Non-Traffic Surveillance (NTS) Data Collection

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has submitted an Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The submission seeks approval to extend, with modifications, two existing federally approved data collection programs: the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and the Non-Traffic Surveillance (NTS) system. FARS is a nationwide census of fatal motor vehicle traffic crashes, capturing detailed data on crashes, vehicles, and persons involved. NTS complements FARS by tracking traffic-related fatalities and injuries that occur in non-traffic environments such as parking lots, driveways, and off-road areas. Together, these systems form the backbone of U.S. traffic safety data. A 60-day public comment period was previously opened via a Federal Register notice published on November 18, 2025, during which 24 public comments were received. The current submission to OMB represents the next step in the approval process, inviting further review before a final determination is made. The modification component of this extension request indicates NHTSA intends to update or adjust aspects of the existing data collection methodology, scope, or reporting burden compared to the previously approved version.

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