David Strickland, senior Democratic counsel to the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, breezed through his nomination hearing to serve as the next head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) reports.

President Barack Obama nominated Strickland earlier this month to be the new NHTSA administrator. The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, chaired by Democratic Sen. Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia, held Strickland's nomination hearing on Dec. 15. The name now goes to the full Senate for final approval.

"We've dealt with Mr. Strickland on a variety of issues over the years and have found him to be thoughtful and accessible," said Ed Moreland, AMA vice president for government relations. "We believe he will exhibit these same qualities while carrying out his responsibilities as the head of NHTSA."

The traffic safety agency was established by the Highway Safety Act of 1970 to carry out safety programs previously administered by the National Highway Safety Bureau. The agency is a part of the U.S. Transportation Department and is responsible for saving lives, preventing injuries, and reducing economic costs due to road traffic crashes through education, research, safety standards and enforcement activity.

Strickland, 41, is a Harvard University Law School graduate. He has served as senior Democratic counsel to the Senate Commerce committee since 2001, and has been heavily involved in transportation safety issues. He will replace acting NHTSA Administrator Ron Medford, who has held the position for 10 months.