What agency creates and enforces safety and performance standards for vehicles and related equipment?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is the agency responsible for creating and enforcing safety and performance standards for motor vehicles and related equipment in the United States. Its primary mission is to promote safe and efficient transportation through various programs, including vehicle safety assessments, regulation of fuel economy, and management of vehicle recalls.

NHTSA develops and enforces regulations that ensure vehicles are manufactured to specific safety standards, including crashworthiness, vehicle lighting, and other performance metrics that protect the public. This agency also conducts research and analysis on highway safety issues, which informs policy and helps to develop initiatives that reduce vehicular accidents and fatalities.

In contrast, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) focuses on regulating environmental issues, including vehicle emissions, while the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) deals with workplace safety. The Department of Transportation (DOT) encompasses many areas of transportation but does not specifically focus on vehicle safety standards alone. Thus, the NHTSA's direct role in vehicle safety makes it the correct choice in this context.