Lee White, deputy administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), will open the 2026 OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit during the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, according to a news release.  

The session, "The National Safety Objective: Safer Vehicles, Safer Roads," will take place Thursday, November 5, from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. The OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit is part of the Repairer Driven Education (RDE) series, presented by Society of Collision Repair Specialists. 

White will open the Summit with a presentation on the agency's current vehicle and roadway safety priorities, emerging transportation technologies, data-driven research, and the federal government's work with industry to reduce fatalities and serious injuries. 

White provides executive leadership for the federal agency that establishes and enforces vehicle safety standards and educates Americans about roadway safety. His work includes developing and executing the federal regulatory framework for automated vehicles, using research and data to guide safety initiatives, and positioning the agency to address emerging vehicle technologies 

Following his presentation, White will join SCRS Executive Director Aaron Schulenburg for a one-on-one conversation exploring the intersection between federal safety objectives, automotive innovation, and the collision repair industry's role in preserving vehicle safety throughout its service life. The conversation will explore: 

• NHTSA safety priorities 

• Automated and advanced vehicle technologies 

• Data and research 

• Emerging safety risks 

• Industry collaboration 

• The role of repair in maintaining vehicle safety 

Registration is now open for the 2026 SEMA Show and Repairer Driven Education series, taking place Nov. 3-6 in Las Vegas. Early bird pricing is available through September 25 and offers the best rate on education add-ons, including the OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit. 

To register or learn more about the RDE series at the SEMA Show, click here.