326 | Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety

Statement on NHTSA NPRM on Front Passenger and Rear Seat Belt Reminders

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to require passenger vehicles be equipped with seat belt use warning systems for the right front seat passenger and passengers in the rear seats. The current Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) (208) only requires a seat belt warning for the driver’s seat. Extending these protections to all seating positions is urgently needed.

Statement on July 4th Travel and Roadway Safety

Crowded highways which continue to be plagued by increases in reckless driving are a recipe for disaster. Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates) urges swift action at both the federal and state levels on proven safety measures to reduce crashes, prevent injuries and save lives.

Statement on Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

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.

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

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.