ST2025035 - Recommendation 1

Revise NHTSA's Special Crash Investigation Procedures Manual to include processes for: a. identifying, and prioritizing crashes to investigate; b. selecting types of crashes for investigation that are likely to produce the most useful results to improve safety and that align with the program's mission; c. assigning crashes to the investigators; d. documenting crashes considered but not selected for investigation; e. adopting an investigation scheduling process that includes tracking and monitoring functions to encourage timeliness and provide early warning of, and document delays in, completing crash investigations; f. establishing realistic timelines and assessing the impact of delays on crash investigation timelines and, if assessments show timelines are not realistic, adjust schedule requirements as needed; g. developing a post-investigation process to assess the impact of each crash investigation; and h. periodically assessing and updating the procedure manual.