NHTSA Proposes Vehicle Defect Reporting Program for First Responders

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has proposed and seeks comment on a program that would allow collision first responders to report vehicle defects that they believe may have led to the accident, injury, or death. Describing the need for the program -- which they've titled First Responder Incident Advanced Reporting (FRIAR)-- NHTSA notes that, "First responders have not had a direct or public method of reporting alleged safety defects to [NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)]."

Law enforcement, fire department, emergency medical services, and other local and state first responders would be able to voluntarily submit reports online. According to NHTSA, these reports could help ODI "determine if a potential defect exists that may require further investigation or the initiation of a recall."

Click here to learn more about the proposal and opportunity for comment.