Press Releases

Statement on the Passing of Former U.S. Transportation Secretary and Congressman Norman Mineta

 552 363 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety

Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates) is saddened to learn of the passing of Norman Mineta.  His contributions as a member of Congress from California, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) during the George W. Bush Administration, and beyond leave an eternal safety legacy.

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Statement on Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, an annual event to focus on reducing the persistent death and injury toll due to motorcycle crashes.  In 2020, the number of motorcycle riders killed, 5,579, was the largest in a single year since data collection began in 1975.  This was also an alarming 11 percent increase from 2019 and accounted for 14 percent of all roadway deaths. 

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Leading up to National Heatstroke Prevention Day (May 1), Members of Congress, Safety Advocates and Families Affected by Hot Car Deaths Stress the Urgent Need for Effective Hot Car Technology

 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety

In November 2021, IIJA was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Biden.  It includes a provision that addresses hot car tragedies by requiring an ‘audio and visual reminder alert to check the back seat’ in new passenger vehicles. Unfortunately, the provision does not specify the requirement for the system to detect a child alone in a vehicle. Without detection, a system will be inadequate. A reminder alert alone falls short of what is needed to prevent hot car deaths and injuries and creates a false sense of security for families.

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Statement on New Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Ratings Program for Seat Belt Reminders

 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety

Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates) commends the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for implementing a new ratings program on seat belt reminder systems in passenger vehicles.  The evaluations provide invaluable information to consumers seeking the safest seat belt reminder systems.  The IIHS estimates up to 1,500 lives a year could be saved by improved seat belt reminders.

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