Senators Urge Swift Action on Overdue Vehicle Safety Regulations

Democratic senators press NHTSA to address rising traffic fatalities and finalize critical safety measures.

Nine Democratic senators have called on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to expedite the implementation of overdue vehicle safety rules.
U.S. traffic fatalities remain significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels, with nearly 19,000 deaths reported in the first half of 2024.
The senators emphasize the need for new standards on seatback strength, crash avoidance technologies, and impaired driving prevention.
NHTSA has missed several deadlines for safety regulations set by the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
The agency has proposed rules for automatic emergency braking and pedestrian safety but has yet to finalize many critical provisions.