U.S. Senators Dean Heller (R-NV) and Edward Markey (D-MA) joined with U.S. Representatives Todd Rokita (R-IN) and Earl Blumenauer (D-WA) to introduce the Safety Through Informed Consumers Act (STICRS), S. 1535, legislation that is both bipartisan and bicameral. The legislation requires the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to integrate active safety technology into its crashworthiness rating system.
“The Safety Through Informed Consumers Act is a necessary piece of legislation to ensure American families are well-versed on whether vehicles they are looking to purchase are equipped with the newest, state-of-the-art safety technology,” said Senator Dean Heller. “Given recent issues surrounding ignition switch defects, airbag defects and numerous vehicle recalls, this bipartisan-bicameral legislation will help restore consumers’ confidence in the safety of their vehicles. I look forward to working with Senator Markey and Congressmen Rokita and Blumenauer in order to move this legislation through Congress.”
Added Senator Edward Markey, “Consumers trust auto window sticker safety ratings when they compare vehicles. Today’s 5-star safety rating system only tells them how safe they are in the vehicle once a crash occurs, ignoring any features like collision warning and automatic emergency braking, that can help avoid that crash in the first place. With new safety technology standard in many cars, we need a 21st century 5-star safety rating system that tells consumers how safe their vehicles really are.”
“In a free market, informed consumers are one of the greatest drivers of advancement,” said Representative Todd Rokita. “The Safety Through Informed Consumers Act ensures that the latest safety technologies are integrated into the 5-star rating system, arming new car buyers with potentially life-saving information. This is a common-sense, bipartisan bill that promotes innovation, empowers consumers and protects lives. I thank my colleagues for their support and look forward to working with them to advance this important legislation.”
Representative Earl Blumenauer said, “Active safety technologies, such as blind spot warning and assisted braking, improve the safety of cars and save lives. Making consumers aware of such cutting-edge technology is a big step toward safer roadways for all users, regardless of how they choose to travel. People should clearly and easily understand the critical safety features in any vehicle they are considering buying.”
