A group of Senators is calling for action to reduce rising traffic crash fatalities. Citing a record increase in nationwide traffic fatalities, 10 Democratic Senators wrote a letter to the head of the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) requesting a progress update on NHTSA’s implementation of critical safety provisions including in last year’s infrastructure bill meant to reduce traffic crash deaths and injuries.
“Nearly 43,000 people died in motor vehicle crashes in 2021, the highest number in sixteen years, and according to preliminary numbers, 2022 has been equally, if not more, deadly,” the Senators wrote. “Fortunately, the IIJA required NHTSA to take much-needed action to ensure this road safety crisis comes to a dead end. We, therefore, urge NHTSA to swiftly implement key safety provisions in the law and reverse this frightening trend in motor vehicle fatalities.”
Reducing Traffic Crash Death and Injury
The Senators requested NHTSA to provide a written update on its progress in implementing ten specific safety provisions that were mandated in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, including:
- Recall Completion (Sec. 24202), which directs NHTSA to publish an annual list of recall completion rates;
- Motor Vehicle Seatback Safety Standards (Sec. 24204), which directs NHTSA to issue an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking to update Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 207 regarding seatback safety standards;
- Automatic Shutoff (Sec. 24505), which directs NHTSA to issue a final rule to require manufacturers of vehicles with keyless ignitions to install a device that automatically shuts off the vehicle after it idles for a certain period;
- Crash Avoidance Technology (Sec. 24208), which directs NHTSA to issue minimum performance standards for crash avoidance technologies and to require all cars be equipped with a forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking system as well as a lane departure warning and lane keeping assist system;
- Reduction in Driver Distraction (Sec. 24209), which directs NHTSA to conduct research on driver monitoring systems to reduce driver distraction and driver disengagement;
- Headlamps (Sec. 24212), which directs NHTSA to issue a final rule amending FMVSS 108 regarding performance-based standards for vehicle headlamps;
- Hood and Bumper Standards (Sec. 24214), which directs NHTSA to request comment on potential updates to hood and bumper standards;
- Early Warning Reporting (Sec. 24216), which directs NHTSA to conduct a study on existing requirements for manufacturers to report information and data to DOT to help identify potential safety issues;
- Advanced Impaired Driver Technology (Sec. 24220), which directs NHTSA to issue a final rule requiring new vehicles be equipped with impaired driving prevention technology; and,
- Child Safety (Sec. 24222), which directs NHTSA to issue a final rule requiring new cars be equipped with a system to alert the driver to check rear seats after the engine is turned off.
Recovering Losses in Traffic Crash Deaths and Injuries
Traffic crash injuries are most often attributable to driver error. If you’ve been injured in a Central Florida traffic crash, talk to an Orlando car accident attorney at the Martinez Manglardi personal injury law firm. Call 866-730-3508 for a free consultation. We’ve been winning settlements for car accident victims for 35 years. Convenient locations throughout Central Florida
