Dr. Steven Cliff has been confirmed as the 16th administrator of the National High Traffic Safety Administration.
Cliff, who was nominated in October by President Joe Biden, had been serving as deputy administrator before being confirmed for his new position by the U.S. Senate in May, according to a June 3 U.S. Department of Transportation news release.
“From his deep academic background to his public service at the California Air Resources Board, Dr. Steven Cliff brings the experience and expertise needed to help build a safer, cleaner transportation system for all Americans,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in the release. “His leadership will be vital as NHTSA implements new strategies to save lives on our nation’s roadways, accelerates our transition to an electric vehicle future and prepares for the impact of automation and related vehicle technologies. I congratulate Dr. Cliff on his confirmation.”
According to the release, Cliff will oversee the nation’s road safety agency that sets vehicle safety standards, identifies safety defects and manages recalls and educates Americans to help them drive, ride and walk safely.
“I appreciate President Biden and Secretary Buttigieg’s trust in me,” Cliff said in the release. “I will draw upon decades of experience in public service to help make our transportation system safer for every American, no matter if they drive, walk, bike, ride or roll. NHTSA is focused on making our roads safer for everyone, all while integrating policies that make transportation more equitable and environmentally sustainable – top priorities of the Biden-Harris administration. I am honored to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate to lead this vital agency as we improve roadway safety, foster innovation, advance transportation equity and address climate change.”
According to the release, Cliff will lead the NHTSA in "establishing fuel economy regulations, helping facilitate the testing and deployment of advanced vehicle technologies and implementing many of the safety policies in the National Roadway Safety Strategy." The NHTSA will also lead 600 employees in the NHTSA as well as the $1 billion budget which was increased by 50% under the Bipartisan Law.
