Senators Urge NHTSA to Finalize Vehicle Safety Rules

A group of nine Democratic senators, including Ed Markey and Richard Blumenthal, is urging the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to expedite the implementation of overdue vehicle safety rules due to persistently high traffic fatalities. U.S. traffic deaths rose by 10.5% in 2021, reaching 42,915, and while some progress has been made, fatalities remain higher than any pre-pandemic year since 2008. The senators highlighted NHTSA's missed deadlines for key safety regulations mandated by the 2021 infrastructure law, including those for automatic emergency braking systems and stronger seatback safety standards. They criticized the agency for its slow pace and lack of action on measures to prevent drunk driving and improve driver alerts for checking rear seats after vehicle shutoff. The NHTSA currently lacks a permanent administrator, further complicating timely regulatory updates. The senators are seeking a response from NHTSA by December 15 regarding their concerns and proposed actions.