WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Edward Markey (D-MA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) called on the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration to provide an update on provisions passed in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and additional efforts to end distracted driving.
“Distracted driving has become among the most significant factors contributing to traffic deaths. In the past decade, traffic deaths increased over 25 percent,” the Senators wrote.
“Given the impact of distracted driving on safety and the economy, Congress passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which included the SAFE to DRIVE Act to ensure more states can enforce distracted driving laws, educate drivers, and keep our roads safe. Congress also granted NHTSA new regulatory authorities based on the Stay Aware for Everyone (SAFE) Act to prevent distracted driving,” the Senators continued. “We request an update on your implementation of these provisions of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, as well as an update about your other activities to end distracted driving.”
In 2021, provisions based on the SAFE to DRIVE Act, Klobuchar’s legislation to combat distracted driving, passed as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This legislation helps ensure more states are able to access critical funding to enforce distracted driving laws and educate drivers to help keep our roadways safe.
The full letter is available here and below.
Dear Acting Administrator Carlson,
We write to request additional information from the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration on its efforts to implement provisions passed in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to prevent distracted driving.
Distracted driving has become among the most significant factors contributing to traffic deaths. In the past decade, traffic deaths increased over 25 percent. A study published earlier this year by NHTSA found that distraction was a factor in 29 percent of all motor vehicle crashes in 2019, resulting in 10,546 fatalities. Moreover, distracted driving contributed to 1.3 million nonfatal injuries, costing the economy $98.2 billion.
Given the impact of distracted driving on safety and the economy, Congress passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which included the SAFE to DRIVE Act to ensure more states can enforce distracted driving laws, educate drivers, and keep our roads safe. Congress also granted NHTSA new regulatory authorities based on the Stay Aware for Everyone (SAFE) Act to prevent distracted driving. Specifically, the law directs NHTSA to study driver monitoring systems that minimize driver distraction and disengagement, and, if warranted based on the results of the study, require a rulemaking. The law also directs NHTSA to issue minimum performance standards for crash avoidance technologies and to require that all cars be equipped with a forward collision warning system, an automatic emergency braking system, a lane departure warning system, and a lane keeping system.
We recognize the work NHTSA has done to ensure the safety of our nation’s roads. We request an update on your implementation of these provisions of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, as well as an update about your other activities to end distracted driving. Please respond by November 21, 2023 with answers to the following questions:
- When does NHTSA expect to finalize research— and subsequent final rules for driver monitoring systems— required under Section 24209 of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law?
- How has NHTSA implemented the new grant opportunity for states that ban distracted driving?
- How is NHTSA measuring the effectiveness of state distracted driving law enforcement activities conducted with grants awarded under Section 405(e)?
- What other activities or rulemakings is NHTSA undertaking to prevent distracted driving?
- Does NHTSA need any additional resources to prevent distracted driving?
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