New NHTSA head looks forward to ‘unleashing American innovation
The U.S. Senate has confirmed a new administrator for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Jonathan Morrison was chosen with a 51-47 vote on Thursday.
Morrison was among 47 other nominees, including highway and pipeline officials, according to Reuters.
According to a USDOT press release, Morrison will be responsible for leading the NHTSA’s efforts to reduce deaths, injuries, and economic losses from motor vehicle crashes.
“This involves setting and enforcing vehicle safety standards, conducting research on traffic safety, and educating the driving public about safe driving practices,” the release says.
“I deeply appreciate President Trump for nominating me and Secretary Duffy for his support through this process,” said Morrison, in the release. “I look forward to enhancing safety on our nation’s roadways, supporting law enforcement, making vehicles more affordable again, and unleashing American innovation.”
Morrison formerly worked at Apple and previously served as the president of Auto Advisory Services and director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs for the California New Car Dealers Association, according to his LinkedIn page. He was also NHTSA’s chief counsel during Trump’s first term.
In July, during testimony before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Morrison shared why he’s passionate about the head role at NHTSA.
“I believe the motor vehicle has been instrumental to the success of the American public over the past century,” Morrison said in his testimony. “Ready access to a car or truck greatly expands our personal, professional, and recreational horizons well beyond any other transportation technology, and has much to do with the ability to achieve the American dream through upward economic mobility.”
Morrison will be in charge of NHTSA investigations under his new position. The most recent, opened just before his confirmation, involves about 174,000 model year 2021 and newer Tesla Model Ys over their electronic door handles. Reports show that they can become inoperative and potentially trap children inside.
Alliance for Automotive Innovation President and CEO John Bozzella congratulated Morrison on his confirmation in a written statement Thursday.
“At its core, NHTSA and the dedicated employees at the agency can help strengthen the industry’s global competitiveness by speeding the deployment of life-saving automotive technology, by informing and educating consumers, and by supporting the cutting-edge innovation that underpins American economic and national security,” he said.
Bozzella, along with other public officials, recently criticized NHTSA for failing to meet modern expectations. In June, Bozzella stated that there must be a “modern, stable, and forward-looking regulatory framework” for the U.S. automotive sector, starting with the modernization and strengthening of NHTSA.
Regarding Morrison’s confirmation, Bozzella added that “the auto industry wants — and needs — a strong NHTSA and is committed to a partnership that achieves our shared goals: saving lives, reducing crashes and deploying the cleanest, safest and smartest vehicles ever.”
“Jonathan has worked at NHTSA and in the technology sector,” he said. “He understands the value of a public/private partnership. This will be a major asset to the administration’s traffic safety and vehicle technology agenda in the years ahead.”
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Featured image: Jonathan Morrison speaks during his nomination hearing for administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA/Screenshot)