LATEST NEWS

  • All
  • Congress
  • In the News
  • Rulemakings
  • Statements
  • States
  • Truck Safety
  • Vehicle Safety
  • Letters
  • Autonomous Vehicles
  • Uncategorized
  • Press Releases
  • Media Alerts
  • Motorcoach Safety
Statement on 2017 Motor Vehicle Crash Fatalities
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

Today, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released new data showing that motor vehicle crash fatalities remain at unacceptably high levels.  While it is welcome news that our Nation experienced a 1.8 percent decrease in crash fatalities from 2016 to 2017, the fact remains that more than 100 people are killed in preventable motor vehicle crashes each day on average.

read more
Advocates’ Statement on Updating NCAP
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

By any measure the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) has been exceedingly successful.  The program has been copied the world over and has provided necessary safety information to consumers for decades.  NCAP is an invaluable tool in helping to ensure Americans have the information they need in order to purchase safe vehicles that will protect them and their families. 

read more
Advocates’ Statement on IIHS Underride Guard Test Results
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

Advocates for Highways and Auto Safety (Advocates) commends the eight largest North American manufacturers of semitrailer truck underride guards for earning the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) TOUGHGUARD award.  Strong underride guards are a proven solution to the horrific problem of underride crashes.  This critical safety feature helps to mitigate violent crashes in which a passenger vehicle collides with a truck or trailer, potentially shearing off the compartment of the car resulting in death and debilitating injuries of the occupants.

read more
Advocates’ Statement on New NTSB Pedestrian Safety Report
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates) supports a comprehensive approach to improving pedestrian safety highlighted by the new Pedestrian Safety Special Investigation Report released by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the recommendations adopted by the Board today.  In 2016, nearly 6,000 pedestrians were killed, and these tragedies have been on the rise every year since 2009.  The NTSB’s report offers yet more evidence that federal, state and local policymakers should take immediate action to combat the growing epidemic of pedestrian fatalities on our Nation’s roads and highways.

read more
Advocates’ Letter on New Jersey Ignition Interlock Device Law
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates), an alliance of consumer, safety, medical and public health groups, and insurance companies working together to pass highway and auto safety laws that prevent crashes, save lives, reduce injuries, and contain costs, supports enactment of Senate Bill (S.) 824/Assembly Bill (A.) 2089 to require the use of ignition interlock devices (IIDs) by all convicted drunk drivers, including first time offenders.  We urge you to join the 32 other states, including neighboring New York and Delaware, that have made their streets and highways safer by enacting an all-offender IID law.

read more
Advocates’ Statement on Emerging Technologies to the Senate Commerce Committee
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

AVs should not be prematurely deployed and sold before they can be safely operated on public roads and without commonsense government oversight in place.  Serious and fatal crashes involving AVs which have already occurred reveal significant flaws in this still developing technology.  In sum, the path to the safe and effective introduction of AVs requires government oversight, transparency and a comprehensive regulatory framework in all aspects from vehicle standards to infrastructure design.  

read more
Advocates’ Statement on Labor Day Weekend Travel
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates) urges drivers hitting the road for one last summer road trip over Labor Day weekend to ensure that it is a safe one.  Use common sense if you are driving: obey the speed limit, make sure everyone is properly buckled up, turn off and put away distracting devices, don’t drink and drive, and wear a helmet if you’re on a motorcycle.  More people are predicted to be taking to the road this weekend, which means a greater risk of deadly crashes.  Now is the time for elected officials, who are preparing for the upcoming legislative sessions, to commit to advancing available, proven solutions and enact lifesaving laws that prevent crashes, deaths and injuries.

read more
Advocates Remembers John McCain’s Auto Safety Legacy
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates) mourns the loss of Senator John McCain (R-AZ) and also celebrates the life of a true safety hero.  Senator McCain was a good friend of Advocates who championed numerous safety measures to protect consumers and prevent motor vehicle crashes, deaths and injuries.  As Chair of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, he helped advance bipartisan safety legislation that addressed deadly safety defects and industry cover-ups including the Firestone/Ford tire controversy linked to over 200 deaths and 800 injuries. 

read more
Red-Light Camera Program Checklist
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

This “Red-Light Camera Program Checklist” provides practical instructions for planning, implementing and evaluating red light camera programs, including steps to help communities build and maintain public support.  The checklist was published in July 2018 by Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety…

read more
Press Call on AV START and New Driverless Car Poll
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

Today, leading safety, consumer and bicycling advocates, law enforcement, and tech and automation experts urged the U.S. Senate to add critical safeguards to the AV START Act (S. 1885), a bill that will set policy on autonomous vehicles (AVs), also known as driverless cars, for decades to come.  As early as this week, sponsors of the bill could attempt to “give it a ride” on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act (S. 1405).

read more
Advocates’ Letter on Drugged and Alcohol-Impaired Driving
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

A correlation between drug use, specific drug levels in the body, and impairment is unresolved. It is unquestionable that drug use and misuse is a serious concern. However, on our roads, alcohol impairment behind the wheel continues to be the largest single contributor to traffic fatalities in the U.S. Moreover, alcohol-impaired driving fatalities are on the rise.

read more
Media Alert: Press Call on AV START Act
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

The U.S. Senate is expected to consider the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act (S. 1405) before the upcoming one week recess.  Sponsors of the AV START Act (S. 1885) are pushing to attach their bill to the FAA bill.  Safety, consumer and bicycling advocates, law enforcement, and tech and automation experts oppose this legislative maneuver which would preclude any opportunity for thorough consideration, debate and amendments to the Nation’s first driverless car, or autonomous vehicle (AV), law.

read more
Over 65 Groups Ask Senate to Keep Driverless Cars Out of FAA Bill
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

A broad and diverse coalition of local, state and national organizations representing safety, public health, bicyclists, pedestrians, engineers, smart growth, consumer and environmental groups, law enforcement and first responders, disability communities and families affected by motor vehicle crashes sent the following letter to Senators calling on them to oppose attempts to attach the AV START Act (S. 1885) to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act (S. 1405).

read more
Groups Urge Senate Committee to Address AV Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

In preparation for tomorrow’s hearing “Complex Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities: Lessons Learned from Spectre and Meltdown,” we write to highlight the critical problems related to the cybersecurity of connected and autonomous vehicles (AVs).  As these cars will be “computers on wheels,” it is absolutely essential that strong protections be in place to safeguard against potentially catastrophic instances of vehicle hacking.

read more
Advocates’ Statement on July 4th Travel
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

The Independence Day holiday is one of the most dangerous times to travel on our Nation’s roadways.  Over the five-day period from today through to July 4, approximately 500 people will die and 32,500 more will be injured in preventable crashes.  These eye-popping numbers should be even more attention-getting than a fireworks finale.  State elected officials throughout the country need to take swift action to make their roads and highways safer.

read more
Advocates’ Letter Urges NY Governor to Save Speed Camera Program
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety urges Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo (D-NY) to reconvene the legislature to advance Assembly Bill (A.) 7798 C/Senate Bill (S.) 6046 C. This legislation would improve safety on New York City streets by increasing the number of schools at which photo speed violation monitoring systems may be utilized, expanding the times of operation, and extending the school speed camera program until July 1, 2022.

read more
Advocates’ Dr. Shaun Kildare to Testify Before Senate EPW Committee
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety’s (Advocates) Director of Research, Dr. Shaun Kildare, will be testifying before the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works at 10:00 a.m. EST during the hearing entitled “Innovation and America’s Infrastructure: Examining the Effects of Emerging Autonomous Technologies on America’s Roads and Bridges.”  

read more
Advocates’ Statement to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on AVs and Infrastructure
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

AVs should not be prematurely deployed and sold before they can be safely operated on public roads and without commonsense government oversight in place.  Serious and fatal crashes involving AVs which have already occurred reveal significant flaws in this still developing technology.  These crashes have also shown that coordination at the federal, state and local levels regarding infrastructure development and upgrades will play a significant role in the safe and successful development of AVs. 

read more
Advocates, KidsAndCars.org Statement on Hot Cars Study
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

A system reminding drivers to remember vulnerable back seat passengers is a commonsense solution to these heartbreaking deaths.  One child dies from heat stroke every nine days in communities across the country.  Rear seat passenger alerts are already available and we’re failing our children each day that this effective, proven technology isn’t included as standard equipment in every vehicle.

read more
Coalition Warns Congress About Bigger, Heavier Trucks
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

Ahead of tomorrow’s hearing on the FAST Act, consumer, health, and safety groups, families of truck crash victims and survivors, law enforcement, first responders, as well as labor, trucking and rail organizations asked the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Highways and Transit to oppose any attempt to increase federal truck size and weight limits.  Bigger, heavier trucks will add more strain to our Nation’s already-stressed infrastructure.  Congress has previously rejected these anti-safety measures and should do so again, particularly since truck crashes continue to rise.

read more
Statement of Advocates President Cathy Chase on FAST Act Implementation
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety President Cathy Chase submitted the following statement to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Highways and Transit about critical auto safety actions and the implementation of the FAST Act.

read more
Advocates’ Statement on Infrastructure Week
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

As Infrastructure Week kicks off, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates) stresses the strong and historic connection between infrastructure legislation and safety advances.  All major infrastructure bills have included a safety title targeted at advancing safer cars, safer roads and safer drivers.  Recent calls for infrastructure improvements and investment, highlighted during this particular week, should be no different.

read more
Advocates’ Statement on National Police Week
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

This National Police Week, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates) honors law enforcement officers across the country and extends our sincere gratitude for their service. Law enforcement officers risk their lives every day to keep our roads safe for all motorists and road users.  We also laud their advocacy efforts to improve state and federal laws that prevent motor vehicle crashes, save lives and reduce injuries.

read more
Letter on Pausing Driverless Car Bill Until Uber, Tesla Crash Investigations are Complete
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

Leading state and national stakeholders representing safety, public health, bicyclists, pedestrians, smart growth, consumer and environmental organizations, law enforcement and first responders, disability communities, and individuals affected by motor vehicle crashes asked the U.S. Senate to back off plans to move the AV START Act (S. 1885) that could set driverless car policy for decades to come until the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) completes important investigations into recent crashes involving automated driving systems that have killed at least two people – including a pedestrian walking a bicycle.

read more
Advocates’ Statement on New Rearview Camera Rule
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

Today, the federal vehicle safety standard issued in 2014 takes effect requiring that all newly-manufactured vehicles be equipped with a rearview back-up camera.  The regulation is a monumental advancement of safety for children, pedestrians, bicyclists and other vulnerable road users.  It is now part of a long list of successful safety achievements promoted by Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates) in the nearly three decades since our founding in 1989 to prevent motor vehicle crashes, deaths and injuries by making lifesaving technologies standard equipment.

read more
Advocates’ Statement on Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month and Advocates wants to remind all riders that the most important thing you can do to prevent death and devastating injury in a motorcycle crash is to wear a helmet. The facts are strong and the message is crystal clear: helmets are far and away the best countermeasure to preventing motorcycle crash fatalities and injuries. And just as helmet use is the best way to prevent motorcycle crash deaths and injuries, all-rider motorcycle helmet laws are the best way to promote helmet use.

read more
Action Needed to Stop Missouri Helmet Repeal Effort
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

Urgent action is needed to defeat SB 556, a bill to repeal Missouri’s motorcycle helmet law being considered by the state’s legislature. It is critical that Senate leadership hear from you to convey your strong opposition to SB 556 and any effort to repeal the all-rider helmet law now.

read more
Advocates Letter to Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers About Driverless Car Legislation
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety sent a letter to the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers refuting the auto industry trade group’s misleading statement at the Politico Live event, “Safety in the Driverless Age” on Thursday, April 19 that had the AV START Act (S. 1885) been law, the public would know “a lot more” about why an Uber autonomous vehicle (AV) car struck and killed a pedestrian in Tempe, Arizona last month.

read more
Truck Size and Weight Funding Letter to Senate Appropriations Committee
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

A diverse coalition of state and national organizations representing public health and safety groups, truck drivers, rail interests, labor unions, law enforcement, and others warned against any attempt to use the U.S. DOT appropriations bill to increase or circumvent current truck size and weight limits.

read more
NHTSA Funding Letter to Senate Appropriations Subcommittee
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

In advance of a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies hearing on the U.S. Department of Transportation’s FY2019 Budget Request, leading safety, consumer, and public health advocates sent Committee members a letter expressing their strong support of a robust budget for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

read more
Letter to ID Governor on All-Offender IID Law
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

Traffic fatalities on Idaho roads reached the highest number in a decade in 2016 and improvements to traffic safety are urgently needed. Advocates urges you to sign H. 551 to require this commonsense, lifesaving law to curb drunk driving.

read more
Advocates’ Statement on Omnibus Riders That Degrade Truck Safety
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

Late last night, Congress released a massive government funding bill known as the “omnibus” that includes several policy riders that rollback highway safety and benefit trucking interests at the expense of the safety of families traveling on our roads and highways.  These giveaways have been tacked onto a “must pass” appropriations bill – bypassing the committees of jurisdiction and evading agency review or public input.

read more
Advocates’ Statement on Uber Driverless Car Crash
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

Last night’s fatal crash in Arizona, in which a pedestrian was killed by an Uber operating in autonomous mode, is a startling and tragic reminder that there are real-world consequences to putting unproven autonomous vehicles (AVs), or driverless cars, on the road without proper safeguards and oversight. Crashes like this one are precisely what we have been worried about and are the reason why we have repeatedly called on Congress to make crucial safety improvements to legislation that would open the floodgates for millions of driverless cars to be sold to the public.

read more
Letter to Senate on Deadly Takata Airbags & Driverless Cars
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

A coalition of organizations representing public health and safety professionals, smart growth advocates, bicyclists, pedestrians, consumers, first responders, and individuals with disabilities urged the leaders of the Senate Commerce Committee to ensure that future tragedies like exploding Takata airbags are not repeated with the mass deployment of experimental autonomous vehicles, or driverless cars. Both the Takata recall and the tragic crash late Sunday where an Uber being driven in autonomous mode struck and killed a pedestrian show what happens when vehicles are allowed on public roads without proper government safeguards and oversight.

read more
Broad Coalition Asks DOT For Stronger Driverless Car Rules
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

A broad coalition of state and national organizations representing public health and safety professionals, bicyclists, pedestrians, smart growth advocates, consumers, environmentalists, law enforcement, first responders, and individuals with disabilities called on U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) Secretary Elaine L. Chao to get off the sidelines and fulfill the statutory duty of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to ensure appropriate action and effective oversight for the development and deployment of autonomous vehicles, or driverless cars.

read more
Advocates Applauds Senators Asking For Improvements to Driverless Car Bill
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates) applauds Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tom Udall (D-NM), and Edward J. Markey (D-MA) for their leadership in calling for critical safety improvements to legislation on autonomous vehicles (AVs), AV START Act, S.1885, pending in the United States Senate. The bill would allow for the mass deployment of millions of unproven AVs, or driverless cars, to be sold to consumers without fundamental safeguards in place.

read more
Letter to GA Senate Leaders on Distracted Driving Bill
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety urges you to support House Bill (HB) 673. This legislation will improve safety on Georgia’s roads by broadening the current prohibition on drivers from using wireless communication devices to read, write or send text messages while operating a motor vehicle to include the expanded uses of portable electronic devices that have emerged as technology developed. Considering the prevalence of distracted driving crashes, this legislation is critical, responsive and timely.

read more
NH Seat Belt Bill HB 1259 Separating Fact from Fiction: Floor Vote March 15
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

Support HB 1259 to help ensure everyone buckles up on every trip. Since 2009, when the last seat belt bill was offered in New Hampshire, through 2016, 431 unrestrained people have been killed on state roads. Send an email to the House of Representatives at hreps@leg.state.nh.us and urge them to vote YES on HB 1259!

read more
Safety Leaders Urge Passage of NY Seat Belt Bills
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

We urge you to support Assembly Bill (A.) 1582, sponsored by Assemblyman Walter Mosley (D-57), and Senate Bill (S.) 2928, sponsored by Senator Martin Malave Dilan (D-18), to upgrade the seat belt law to require all occupants to buckle up. Additionally, the measure is included as a provision in the Transportation Budget Bills, A. 9508, Part G, section 7, and S. 7508, Part G, section 7, currently pending the Assembly Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee. 

read more
Letter to Senate Leaders on Driverless Car Bill
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

The Nation’s leading state and national groups representing public health and safety, bicyclists, pedestrians, disability communities, consumers, law enforcement, environmentalists, first responders, smart growth advocates and crash victims’ families urge Senate leaders to make essential improvements to legislation addressing autonomous vehicles, or driverless cars, the AV START Act (S.1885) and to disregard the artificial urgency to rush the bill through. This diverse coalition clearly demonstrates widespread alarm and skepticism about the industry’s unfounded and unreliable arguments about the urgent need to pass this flawed bill.

read more
Safety Groups’ Letter on CT Seat Belt Bill
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

As leading safety organizations working together to pass highway and auto safety laws that prevent unnecessary crashes, deaths and injuries, and contain costs, we urge you to support House Bill (HB) 5161. This legislation will upgrade Connecticut’s seat belt law by requiring all occupants to buckle up on every trip.

read more
Coalition of Concerned Groups Warn Congress About Dangerous Truck Size and Weight Increases
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

Ahead of tomorrow’s hearing, “The Administration’s Framework for Rebuilding Infrastructure in America,” consumer, public health, safety and law enforcement organizations, trucking groups, and victims of truck crashes and their families, sent the following letter about the danger of raising truck size and weight limits to members of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee

read more
Action Alert for NH Seat Belt Requirement Bill
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

On February 6, the New Hampshire General Court House Transportation Committee heard House Bill (HB) 1259. This bill would enact a primary enforcement seat belt requirement for all occupants. New Hampshire is the only state without an adult seat belt law. The Committee vote count is now reported to have tipped in favor of the opposition. We need to shore up the support of those voting for HB 1259 and convince as many reported NO votes as possible to vote YES.

read more
Urgent Action Needed on NH Seat Belt Bill
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

On February 6, the New Hampshire General Court House Transportation Committee heard House Bill (HB) 1259. This bill would enact a primary enforcement seat belt requirement to ensure all occupants buckle up. New Hampshire is the only state without an adult seat belt law. We need to shore up the support of those voting for HB 1259 as well as tip a few leaning toward NO to vote for the measure. If you have limited time, please send at least an email to the whole Committee at the address provided below.

read more
Advocates & KidsAndCars.org Letter on MI Child Occupant Protection Bill
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

As leading safety organizations working together to pass highway and auto safety laws that prevent unnecessary crashes, deaths and injuries, and contain costs, we support House Bill (HB) 4951 to strengthen Michigan’s child occupant protection statute. This measure requires that children remain rear facing in a child safety seat until age two or older, in a forward facing child safety seats until age four, and then in a booster seat until age eight and 57 inches in height. Children should remain in their current safety seat as long as possible, until they have aged out and outgrown the seat specifications.

read more
Statement of Advocates, NH ACS Committee on Trauma, & NH ENA on NH Seat Belt Bill
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

Our organizations support House Bill (HB) 1259, legislation to enact a primary enforcement seat belt law requiring all occupants in all seating positions to buckle up in New Hampshire. This lifesaving bill will help address the epidemic of motor vehicle crash fatalities, injuries and associated costs, and improve the safety of New Hampshire families and all those who travel on state roads.

read more
Statement of Advocates, SMARTER, & MD ENA on MD Motorcycle Helmet Repeal Bill
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

Senate Bill (SB) 439, legislation that would repeal Maryland’s all-rider motorcycle helmet law. This critical safety law has been preventing deaths and injuries and saving taxpayer dollars in Maryland for over 24 years. To repeal the all-rider motorcycle helmet law would be a deadly and costly mistake.

read more
Rep. Mulligan Joins Safety Advocates at NH Statehouse to Discuss Seat Belt Bill
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

Rep. Mary Jane Mulligan (D), sponsor of House Bill (HB) 1259, and a coalition of public health and traffic safety groups and first responders will be available to discuss the urgent need for a primary enforcement seat belt law for all vehicle occupants. HB 1259 will be considered by the House Transportation Committee tomorrow, February 6, at 10:00 AM EST.

read more
Advocates & Trucking Alliance File Comments Opposing Exemptions to ELD Trucking Rule
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

In joint comments submitted today to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates) and the Alliance for Driver Safety & Security (Trucking Alliance) warned that an exemption request filed by the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) would gut the long-settled electronic logging device (ELD) rule by allowing nearly all trucking companies to delay compliance.

read more
Advocates’ Statement on Autonomous Vehicles to the Senate Commerce Committee
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety sent the following statement to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation for a hearing entitled Driving Automotive Innovation and Federal Policies.”

read more
Letter to Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on Autonomous Vehicles
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

In preparation for tomorrow morning’s hearing, “Driving Automotive Innovation and Federal Policies” by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, leading organizations representing consumers, safety advocates, persons with disabilities, law enforcement, and victims and survivors of motor vehicle crashes sent a letter voicing strong concerns about the AV START Act, S. 1885.  A more detailed statement from Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety will be submitted to the Committee tomorrow morning.

read more
Advocates Releases 2018 Roadmap of State Highway Safety Laws
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

Today, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates), released the 2018 Roadmap of State Highway Safety Laws. This is the 15th edition of an annual report that rates all 50 states and the District of Columbia (D.C.) on the adoption of 16 fundamental traffic safety laws. This “report card” exposes over 400 missing safety laws nationwide. It is an essential tool that state elected officials should use to improve roadway safety for all motorists as 2018 state legislative sessions kick off. 

read more
Statement on New National Academies of Sciences Impaired Driving Report
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates) commends the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NAS) for issuing their new report, “Getting to Zero Alcohol-Impaired Driving Fatalities: A Comprehensive Approach to a Persistent Problem.” I was honored to participate as an advisor to NAS as they compiled research and recommendations for the report focusing on alcohol-impaired driving, the largest cause of motor vehicle fatalities.

read more
Press Conference on Monday Jan. 22 at Noon for Advocates’ Report Card of State Highway Safety Laws
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates) will release its 2018 Roadmap of State Highway Safety Laws ranking all 50 states and the District of Columbia on the passage of 16 essential traffic safety laws. State legislative action is critical in light of the 8.4% increase in 2015 and another 5.6% jump in 2016 in highway fatalities. Preliminary figures for the first half of 2017 show no substantial reversal to 37,461 fatalities in 2016.

read more
New Poll Finds Overwhelming Support For Driverless Car Safety Standards
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

Today, leading safety and consumer advocates unveiled a new CARAVAN Public Opinion Poll which revealed widespread concern over major segments of American society on important issues under consideration in federal legislation on driverless cars.

read more
Media Call-In on New Poll Showing Widespread Concern Over Driverless Cars
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

Leading safety and consumer advocates will reveal the results of a new public opinion poll regarding autonomous vehicles (AVs), also referred to as “driverless cars.” A CARAVAN poll conducted in December 2017 exposed widespread concerns across major segments of American society about sharing the road with driverless cars and the lack of government oversight to ensure auto manufacturer accountability as they are developed and deployed on public roads.

read more
Statement of Jackie Gillan on the Stop Underrides Act Introduction
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

The public has waited long enough for government action.  The Stop Underrides Act directs the U.S. Department of Transportation to update the current rear guard standard and to issue new requirements for side and front underride guards.  Crash tests have demonstrated that when a car is stopped from going underneath a trailer, airbags and safety belt systems work as intended and properly restrain a car’s occupants.

read more
Advocates’ Statement on International Award for Utah’s .05% BAC Law
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates) congratulates Utah Governor Gary Herbert (R) and the Utah State Legislature, the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Transportation on collectively receiving the Prince Michael International Road Safety Award. The award recognizes achievement and innovation in road safety and is a well-deserved honor for Utah after enacting a law to lower the legal limit of alcohol-impaired driving from .08 to .05 percent blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Utah’s first-in-the-nation .05 percent BAC law is an effective countermeasure that will save lives and reduce preventable deaths and injuries from drunk driving crashes.

read more
Letter to House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Truck Technology
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates) sent the following letter tonight to members of the House Transportation Subcommittee on Highways and Transit in advance of a roundtable tomorrow morning entitled “Emerging Technologies in the Trucking Industry.” Because truck crash deaths are at alarming highs, there should be no delay in deploying proven and effective technologies that can prevent and mitigate crashes and save lives.

read more
Letter to House Small Business Committee about Long Overdue ELD Rule
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

Consumer, public health, safety and law enforcement organizations, trucking companies, truck drivers, and victims of truck crashes and their families, sent the following letter about the long overdue electronic logging device (ELD) rule to Members of the House Small Business Committee. ELDs are a proven and cost-effective way to reduce truck driver fatigue and save lives. Any attempt to delay or carve out exemptions to the ELD rule will jeopardize the safety of truckers and all road users.

read more
Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety Announces Leadership Transition
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates) announced today that Jackie Gillan, President and Founding Board Member, will be transitioning to become President Emeritus beginning in January 2018. Cathy Chase, Advocates’ Vice President of Governmental Affairs, has been selected by the Board of Directors as the new President.

read more
Advocates’ Statement on Exemptions to ELD Rule
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates) opposes any attempts to slam the brakes on full implementation of the long overdue electronic logging device (ELD) rule. Members of the trucking industry have known about this rule for years and have had ample time to prepare for it. Exemptions will compromise the effectiveness of the rule, jeopardize safety, and make it difficult for law enforcement to enforce.

read more
Advocates’ Statement on Thanksgiving Travel and Self-Driving Safety Concerns
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

Thanksgiving is one of the most wonderful times of the year; unfortunately, it is also one of the most dangerous and deadly times to travel. Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates) warns motorists about the increased risk of dangerous behaviors like speeding, distraction, and impairment which can lead to fatal crashes and life altering injuries.

read more
Advocacy Groups Send Letter to U.S. Senate on AV Bill
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

On Tuesday, ten major consumer, public health, law enforcement, and safety organizations sent a letter to members of the U.S. Senate asking for commonsense and reasonable changes to S. 1885, the AV START Act. These essential changes are needed to ensure the safety of the motoring public as autonomous vehicles are deployed.

read more
Advocates’ Statement on Upgrade to NY Child Occupant Protection Law
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

New York now joins eight other states (CA, CT, NJ, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC) that have enacted laws requiring infants and toddlers to remain rear facing through age two.

read more
Advocates’ Vice President Henry Jasny’s Statement to NHTSA on Autonomous Vehicles
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

In the end, the voluntary safety self-assessments may amount to little more than marketing materials dressed up as consumer information. Advocates supports the need for consumer information, but the type and quality of that information must be objective, specific and uniform to ensure that the public is able to evaluate the technology and even compare technology between companies. However, promotional materials and consumer information are no substitute for regulations to ensure public safety.

read more
Advocates’ Chart on State Graduated Driver Licensing Laws for National Teen Driver Safety Week
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

Advocates urges state elected officials to advance legislation still in play this year, lauds lawmakers who have repeatedly worked to improve state GDL programs, and calls out missed opportunities to pass GDL laws which could have led to making the learning-to-drive process safer for young drivers.

read more
Statement on 2016 Increases in Motor Vehicle Crash Deaths
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

Too many states lack too many safety laws and that is contributing to this public health crisis.  At the federal level, critical safety standards that would make our highways safer for everyone are delayed or ignored.

read more
Advocates’ Statement on AV START Act Senate Commerce Commiteee Markup Victories
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

Today, the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee voted to advance the American Vision for Safer Transportation through Advancement of Revolutionary Technologies Act (AV START Act, S. 1885), a bill that will establish policies and procedures for introducing autonomous vehicles (AVs) into the marketplace for decades to come. 

read more
Safety Advocates’ and defect victims’ letter to Senate Commerce Committee on Senate AV Bill
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

The improvements we recommend will not stop or even slow down the development and deployment of AVs which hold the potential to significantly reduce motor vehicle deaths and injuries.  Rather, these are commonsense proposals that will ensure public safety and industry accountability.

read more
Press Call and Materials on Senate AV Bill (S. 1885)
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

Today, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Edward J. Markey (D-MA) joined a coalition of leading safety and consumer advocates, and survivors and families of victims of dangerous and deadly vehicle defects to call for commonsense safety improvements to the American Vision for Safer Transportation through Advancement of Revolutionary Technologies Act (AV START Act, S. 1885).

read more
Advocates’ Statement on Sleep Apnea Legislation
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates) commends Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Charles Schumer (D-NY), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and Robert Menendez (D-NJ), as well as Representatives Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ) and Albio Sires (D-NJ) for introducing commonsense legislation (S. 1883/H.R. 3882) that would require obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) screenings and treatment for commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers.

read more
Advocates’ Statement on Child Passenger Safety Week and State Child Passenger Laws
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

It is critical that children are protected by strong laws that keep them in the back seat restrained by a child safety seat, booster seat, or safety belt, as appropriate for their age and size. Needless tragedies happening on our roads could be prevented if state legislatures enact these lifesaving laws.

read more
Advocates’ Statement on NTSB Tesla Hearing and NHTSA AV Guidelines
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

The devastating conclusions of the Board reveal what happens when the government takes a hands-off approach to hands-free driving. This should serve as an urgent alarm to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and Congress to take immediate action to regulate autonomous vehicle (AV) technology.

read more
Advocates’ Statement on Labor Day Travel and State Traffic Safety Laws
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

The historic increase in drivers on the road for Labor Day weekend creates a greater potential for tragedy. Unfortunately, many states lack some of the most important traffic safety laws to prevent motor vehicle crashes, deaths, and injuries. It is time for state lawmakers to enact commonsense and cost-effective laws to make our roads and families safe every day of the year.

read more
Advocates’ Statement on New NTSB Speeding-Related Crashes Report
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

Today, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released its new report, Reducing Speeding-Related Crashes Involving Passenger Vehicles. This report details the staggering scope of speeding-related crashes, fatalities, injuries and costs resulting from people driving too fast.

read more
Statement on Dangerous FMCSA Move to Withdraw Critical Rulemaking on Sleep Apnea
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

FMCSA’s plan to withdraw an important safety rulemaking which is already underway ignores the advice of medical experts, fellow federal regulators and even the agency’s own advisory committees. The move comes at a time when the number of truck crashes, fatalities and injuries continues to skyrocket.

read more
Press Release: Senate Introduces HOT CARS Act
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

Today, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Al Franken (D-MN) announced the introduction of the Helping Overcome Trauma for Children Alone in Rear Seats Act (HOT CARS Act of 2017, S. 1666). This critical legislation addresses the tragic deaths of children unknowingly being left in vehicles. 

read more
MEDIA ALERT — Press Call 7/31 at 12pm EST on HOT CARS Act
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

MEDIA AVAILABILITY: Monday, July 31, 2017 at 12:00 Noon ET Contact:  Bill Bronrott, 202-270-4415, bronrott@gmail.com  NATIONAL HEATSTROKE PREVENTION DAY – MON. JULY 31 Look Before You Lock! HOT CARS Act of 2017 – S.1666 MEDIA CONFERENCE CALL WHAT: U.S. Senator…

read more
Statement on House “Self-Driving Vehicle Legislation”
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates) sent this statement to the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee for the hearing on “Self-Driving Vehicle Legislation” before the Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection on June 27, 2017. A summary…

read more
Op-Ed: Utah should not buy the fear-mongering of the alcohol lobby
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

    Op-ed: Utah should not buy the fear-mongering of the alcohol lobby By Andrew McGuire JUN 21, 2017   The Utah Legislature has enacted an important and lifesaving law to make Utah’s roads safer for families by lowering the…

read more
Statement on “Paving the Way for Self-Driving Vehicles”
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates) sent this statement to the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation for the hearing “Paving the Way for Self-Driving Vehicles” on June 14, 2017. A summary of the statement is available…

read more
News Conference on the Introduction of the HOT CARS Act of 2017
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

Download the electronic media kit (PDF). Download the following press release (PDF). FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 7, 2017 Contacts:  Bill Bronrott, 202-270-4415, bronrott@gmail.com; Rep. Tim Ryan contact: Michael Zetts, Michael.Zetts@mail.house.gov, 202-225-5261; Rep. King contact: Kevin Fogarty, Kevin.Fogarty@mail.house.gov, 202-225-7896; Rep. Schakowsky contact: Jeronimo…

read more
Texas Becomes 43rd State to Pass Primary Enforcement Texting Ban
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 6, 2017 Contact: Tara Gill, 202-408-1711, tgill@saferoads.org STATEMENT OF JACKIE GILLAN, PRESIDENT OF ADVOCATES FOR HIGHWAY AND AUTO SAFETY, ON ENACTMENT OF TEXTING WHILE DRIVING BAN IN TEXAS Tremendous Texas Safety Victory – Texas becomes 43rd…

read more
Advocates’ Letter to Texas Governor Abbott on HB 62
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety urges Texas Governor Greg Abbott to sign House Bill (HB) 62, which would prohibit drivers from using wireless communications devices to read, write or send messages while operating a motor vehicle. Distracted driving is…

read more
Advocates’ Statement on Need for Strong Truck Side Underride Guards
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 10, 2017 Contact: Allison Kennedy, 202-408-1711, akennedy@saferoads.org STATEMENT OF JACKIE GILLAN, PRESIDENT OF ADVOCATES FOR HIGHWAY AND AUTO SAFETY, ON THE NEED FOR STRONG SIDE UNDERRIDE GUARDS ON SEMITRAILER TRUCKS New Crash Tests Provide Real-World Evidence…

read more
Statement on Iowa Upgrade of Distracted Driving Law
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 17, 2017 Contact: Tara Gill, 202-408-1711, tgill@saferoads.org STATEMENT OF JACKIE GILLAN, PRESIDENT OF ADVOCATES FOR HIGHWAY AND AUTO SAFETY, ON IOWA STRENGTHENING ITS DISTRACTED DRIVING LAW Iowa becomes 42nd state plus DC to enact an optimal…

read more
Statement on Mississippi Upgrade of Seat Belt Law
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 13, 2017 Contact: Tara Gill, 202-408-1711, tgill@saferoads.org STATEMENT OF JACKIE GILLAN, PRESIDENT OF ADVOCATES FOR HIGHWAY AND AUTO SAFETY, ON MISSISSIPPI UPGRADING ITS SEAT BELT LAW TO PROTECT BACKSEAT PASSENGERS Mississippi becomes 19th state plus DC…

read more
Utah Enacts Nation’s First .05% BAC Law
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 23, 2017  Contact: Bill Bronrott, 202-270-4415, bronrott@gmail.com STATEMENT OF JACKIE GILLAN, PRESIDENT OF ADVOCATES FOR HIGHWAY AND AUTO SAFETY, ON UTAH ENACTING THE NATION’S FIRST .05% BAC LAW This commonsense, research-based law will make Utah’s roads…

read more
Advocates Presents Two Safety Awards at Capitol Hill Reception
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 31, 2017 Contact: Allison Kennedy, (202) 408-1711, akennedy@saferoads.org Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety Presents Second Senator Frank R. Lautenberg Highway Safety Leadership Award and the Inaugural Clarence M. Ditlow III Safety Champion Award (WASHINGTON, D.C.)…

read more
Advocates Releases 2017 Roadmap of State Highway Safety Laws
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

Contact: Bill Bronrott, 202-270-4415, bronrott@gmail.com MEDIA ALERT:  Each State and DC Issued a Report Card Exposing Deadly Gaps in 15 Essential Highway Safety Laws Register Now for the Live Webcast of the Report Release Recent government data shows second year…

read more
Statement on Dangerous FTC Decision on Vehicle Safety Defects
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 16, 2016 Contact: Allison Kennedy, 202-408-1711, akennedy@saferoads.org Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Shirks Duty to Protect Consumers Decision by FTC Allows Auto Dealerships to Falsely Advertise Used Cars with Unrepaired, and Potentially Deadly, Defects as Safe and…

read more
Statement on Ineffective Commercial Motor Vehicle Driver Training Rule
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 7, 2016 Contact: Allison Kennedy, 202-408-1711, akennedy@saferoads.org STATEMENT OF PETER KURDOCK, DIRECTOR OF REGULATORY AFFAIRS ON RELEASE OF DO-NOTHING ENTRY-LEVEL DRIVER TRAINING RULE Meaningless Rule Issued by FMCSA Disregards Congressional Mandates, Federal Court Precedent, Experts Convened…

read more
Statement in Response to Removal of Truck Driver Safety Protections in Continuing Resolution
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 6, 2016 Contact: Advocates: Cathy Chase, cchase@saferoads.org, (o) 202-408-1711 or (c) 571-243-7282 CRASH and PATT: John Lannen, jlannen@trucksafety.org, (o) 703-294-6404 or (c) 703-328-5007 Statement of Highway, Auto & Truck Safety Groups in Response to Removal of…

read more
Jackie Gillan Participating in “A New Era of Highway Safety” Panel on December 5, 2016
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

On Monday, December 5, 2016, Advocates’ President Jackie Gillan will participate in a panel discussion hosted by the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America on “A New Era of Highway Safety.” More information can be found here.

read more
General Motors (GM) Petitions to Delay Recall of Takata Airbag-Equipped Vehicles
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 22, 2016 Contact: Cathy Chase, 571-243-7282, cchase@saferoads.org General Motors (GM) Petitions to Delay Recall of Takata Airbag-Equipped Vehicles Decision by U.S. DOT Gives GM the Green Light to Continue to Shirk Safety Responsibility to Get Exploding…

read more
Traffic Deaths Spike over Thanksgiving Weekend
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

For Immediate Release: November 21, 2016 Contact: Cathy Chase, 571-243-7282, cchase@saferoads.org “Thanksgiving Tradition” – Highway Deaths Will Spike over the Holiday Weekend, Yet Critical Safety Improvements Languish and Attacks on Existing Safety Protections Intensify Statement of Jackie Gillan and Cathy…

read more
Statement on the Death of Clarence Ditlow
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 11, 2016                                    Contact:   Cathy Chase, 571-243-7282, cchase@saferoads.org Statement of Jackie Gillan, President of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates), on the Death of Clarence Ditlow, Executive Director of the Center for Auto Safety and…

read more
Statement from NHTSA Public Meeting on Federal Automated Vehicles Policy
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

STATEMENT OF PETER KURDOCK, DIRECTOR OF REGULATORY AFFAIRS, ADVOCATES FOR HIGHWAY & AUTO SAFETY NHTSA PUBLIC MEETING: FEDERAL AUTOMATED VEHICLES POLICY NOVEMBER 10, 2016 Good afternoon. I am Peter Kurdock, Director of Regulatory Affairs for Advocates for Highway and Auto…

read more
Federal Appeals Court Decision Rejects Baseless Challenge to Truck Driver ELD Rule
 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
0

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 1, 2016 Contact:  Allison Kennedy, 202.408.1711, akennedy@saferoads.org Federal Appeals Court Decision Rejects Baseless Challenge to Truck Driver Electronic Logging Device Rule Decision Clears the Way for the Rule that Will Help Reduce Driver Fatigue, at a…

read more