Overview

• 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.