Soon-to-be SpaceX billionaires are gearing up for a windfall Automakers covet five-star safety ratings that are considered by many new car buyers. They are separate from NHTSA’s mandatory auto safety standards. Traffic deaths rose sharply after the COVID-19 pandemic and in 2022 pedestrian deaths hit their highest level since 1981. Last month, NHTSA said US traffic deaths last year fell to the lowest number since 2019. NHTSA’s five-star New Car Assessment Program – in place since 1978 – is used by prospective car buyers to make decisions about the safety features of vehicles. Automakers covet five-star safety ratings that are considered by many new car buyers. They are separate from NHTSA’s mandatory auto safety standards. Tesla CEO Elon Musk, above. Getty Images In September, the Trump administration delayed changes in the program by one year after automakers sought more time. NHTSA previously added other driver-assistance technologies to the program including electronic stability control, forward collision warning and lane departure warning in 2011; rear visibility systems in 2013 and automatic emergency braking in 2015 for model-year 2018 vehicles. Filed under