355. Balancing Innovation and Safety on America's Roads

What does it take to make our roads safer while still paving the way for AVs? Listen in as we sit down with Jonathan Morrison, Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), to discuss the agency’s approach to roadway safety, AV regulation, and the future of mobility. From modernizing outdated regulations to advancing crash test technology, you’ll learn how NHTSA is balancing innovation with accountability. The conversation also explores how the A2SCEND Consortium is helping establish safety standards for autonomous vehicles to support their commercialization and build public trust. Beyond autonomous driving, Morrison discusses efforts to reduce traffic fatalities by addressing distracted driving, impaired driving, and seatbelt use. He also examines how updated fuel economy standards could improve vehicle affordability and how next-generation crash test dummies could improve occupant protection. We’d love to hear from you. Share your comments, questions and ideas for future topics and guests to [email protected]. Don’t forget to take a moment to follow SAE Tomorrow Today—a podcast where we discuss emerging technology and trends in mobility with the leaders, innovators and strategists making it all happen—and give us a review on your preferred podcasting platform. Follow SAE on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, X, and YouTube. Follow host Grayson Brulte on LinkedIn, X, and Instagram.