Transportation Safety Regulation in the United States Government

Transportation safety is regulated by multiple Department of Transportation agencies, as well other Federal agencies. 

• National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Most Wanted List
• Highway safety in general and vehicle safety in particular is the responsibility of the DOT’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
• Design standards for safe highways are the responsibility of the Federal Highway Administration’s Office of Roadway Safety.
• Safety standards for commercial motor carriers and motor vehicle operators are the responsibility of the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration (FMCSA).
• Railroad safety is the province of the Federal Railroad Administration’s Office of Railroad Safety;
• Aviation safety is the responsibility of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA);
• The Federal Transit Administration has assumed responsibility for federal oversight of transit agency safety.
• Pipeline safety is the responsibility of the Office of Pipeline Safety within the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).
• Safe transportation of hazardous materials is the responsibility of the Office of Hazardous Materials within the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.
• Marine safety is the responsibility of the U.S. Coast Guard within the Department of Homeland Security.
• Offshore pipeline safety is the responsibility of the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement.
• Major accidents are investigated by an independent agency, the National Transportation Safety Board.
• Workplace safety, including the safety of transportation workers, is the responsibility of the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
• Hazardous waste is generally subject to regulation by PHMSA as a hazardous material, but is subject to additional regulation by the Environmental Protection Agency.
• The Nuclear Regulatory Commission sets standards for the design and manufacture of packages containing radioactive materials, while PHMSA regulates actual transport.