US Senators Urge NHTSA to Finalize Vehicle Safety Rules Amid Rising Traffic Deaths

Push for Auto Safety Senators Demand Action from NHTSA

A group of nine Democratic US senators is urging the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to expedite the finalization of new vehicle safety rules. This push comes in response to traffic deaths that remain extremely above pre-COVID levels.

Urgent Call for Action

Senators Ed Markey, Richard Blumenthal, Dick Durbin, Jack Reed, Ron Wyden, and others have written to the NHTSA, questioning the agency’s delays in implementing crucial safety regulations.

“Although this progress is encouraging, NHTSA has more work to do,” the senators wrote. “The agency must still finalize some of its proposed rules and has not yet issued rules for many provisions—rules that are already overdue or nearing their statutory deadline”.

Rising Traffic Deaths

The urgency of this call is underscored by alarming statistics. U.S. traffic deaths surged by 10.5% in 2021, reaching 42,915—the highest number since 2005. While deaths have decreased since then, they remain higher than any pre-pandemic year since 2008, according to Yahoo!

Recent Progress and Remaining Challenges

This year, NHTSA finalized rules requiring automatic emergency braking in cars and light trucks by 2029 and proposed new seatback safety standards to prevent rear passengers from being killed by collapsing front seats. Additionally, the agency proposed rules to address the risks posed to pedestrians by vehicle hoods.

Despite these advancements, the senators emphasized the need for further action. The 2021 infrastructure law included ten new auto safety provisions, such as modernizing standards for crash avoidance technologies and automatic engine shutoff devices.

However, NHTSA has missed several deadlines, including those for distracted driving studies and systems to alert drivers to check rear seats after vehicle shutoff.

Automakers Response

In June, a group representing major automakers, including General Motors, Toyota, and Volkswagen, requested that NHTSA reconsider the automatic emergency braking rule.

The slow pace of regulatory updates has drawn criticism, with the agency often lagging behind congressional deadlines.