MEDIA ALERT
CONTACT: Pete Daniels, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety / [email protected] / 301-442-2249
Rosemary Boeglin, Sen. Ed Markey / [email protected] / 202-993-5811
Karolina Wasiniewska, Sen. Richard Blumenthal / [email protected] / 202-224-0335
Alex Moore, Rep. Jan Schakowsky / [email protected] / 202-374-1098
Members of Congress and Safety and Bicyclist Advocates to Address the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Data Release on Crashes Involving Vehicles Equipped with Partial or Fully Automated Driving Technology
Transparency is key to assessing on-road performance of vehicles equipped with advanced technologies. Commonsense regulations are urgently needed to improve safety for all road users.
WHEN: WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 2022 at 12:15 P.M. EST
WHAT: VIRTUAL NEWS CONFERENCE
Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates), joined by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Edward Markey (D-MA), U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), the League of American Bicyclists and former Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Joan Claybrook will discuss the release of data on crashes involving vehicles equipped with partial or fully automated driving technology.
BACKGROUND: On June 29, 2021, NHTSA ordered auto and equipment manufacturers and operators of vehicles equipped with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) that are rated as Level 2 per the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and vehicles with automated driving system capability (SAE Levels 3 – 5) to report crashes. The order was amended on August 12, 2021.
The Standing General Order covers vehicles with systems that combine technologies that are able to control certain aspects of steering and speed, like lane centering assistance and adaptive cruise control, which are increasingly being sold in the U.S. The order also covers vehicles which are able to perform the complete driving task in limited circumstances, which are not sold to consumers but are in limited use on public roads around the country for testing, ride sharing, and goods delivery. Advocates and others have consistently called upon NHTSA to release this data to the public, as they did today.
There are currently no Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) covering ADAS or autonomous vehicles.
WHERE:
This virtual news conference will be live streamed and recorded on Zoom. CLICK HERE or copy and paste the following link in your browser to register (registration is required): https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_clBamxJKTNi1jv7ltV0X3g
**NOTE: Q&A with the press will follow prepared remarks**
WHO:
- Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chair, U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety and Data Security
- Edward Markey (D-MA), U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Member
- Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Chair, U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce
- Cathy Chase, President, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
- Joan Claybrook, Former Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
- Ken McLeod, Policy Director, The League of American Bicyclists
ELECTRONIC MEDIA KIT, including the press conference recording, press release, and select speaker statements will be available at www.saferoads.org.
Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety is an alliance of consumer, medical, public health, law enforcement, and safety groups and insurance companies and agents working together to improve road safety in the U.S. Advocates’ mission is the adoption of federal and state laws, policies and programs that prevent motor vehicle crashes, save lives, reduce injuries, and contain costs.
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