H.R. 7354: Stop Underrides Act 2.0

This bill is known as the Stop Underrides Act 2.0 and aims to increase safety on the roads, particularly concerning underride crashes. Underride crashes occur when smaller vehicles, such as passenger cars or motorcycles, slide underneath larger trucks or trailers during an accident. The bill identifies these crashes as a significant threat to public health and safety, with historical data indicating over 25,000 underride incidents leading to around 31,500 fatalities since the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's inception.

Key Components of the Bill

• Enhanced Underride Protection: The bill mandates that the Secretary of Transportation must develop new regulations that require the installation of comprehensive underride protection systems. This includes front, rear, and side underride guards on new trailers, semitrailers, and single-unit trucks.
• Performance Standards: The new regulations are expected to set performance standards for these underride guards. They must effectively prevent a vehicle from sliding under a truck at closing speeds of up to 40 miles per hour and help protect vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists.
• Cost-Benefit Analysis: As part of implementing the new requirements, the Secretary is instructed to conduct cost-benefit analyses, evaluating both the expected reduction in fatalities and injuries as well as the potential fuel efficiency benefits derived from these new installations.
• Monitoring and Review: The bill also establishes that these regulations must be reviewed every five years to assess their effectiveness and advocate for necessary updates based on observed data and technological advancements.

Advisory Committee

The bill calls for the reconvening of the Advisory Committee on Underride Protection. This committee will play a role in advising the Secretary of Transportation on these safety measures, ensuring that the interests of crash victims and vulnerable road users are considered.

Research and Reporting

Additionally, the Secretary of Transportation is tasked with compiling a publicly accessible website to store relevant research, reports, and recommendations concerning underride crashes. This effort is aimed at raising awareness and promoting safety in the trucking and transportation sectors.

Studies Initiated by the Bill

• National Academies Study: The bill mandates a study by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine on the dangers posed by large trucks to vulnerable road users and how to mitigate those risks.
• GAO Study: The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is to evaluate the implementation of rear impact protection regulations as well as offer recommendations for improving safety in underride situations.

Enforcement and Training

The bill emphasizes the importance of accurate crash reporting by state and local law enforcement regarding underride incidents. It requires that law enforcement receive web-based training to improve documentation and identification of these types of crashes.

Timeline for Implementation

The Secretary of Transportation is required to finalize regulations within 18 months of the bill's enactment, with a compliance deadline set for two years thereafter for affected industries.

Definitions and Amendments

To facilitate these changes, the bill also includes amendments to existing regulations, defining terms related to truck safety and explicitly outlining the responsibilities of the Secretary of Transportation.

Relevant Companies

• CMI (Cummins Inc.): A major engine manufacturer that could be impacted by changing regulations that modify truck specifications, potentially influencing engine design and integration with underride guards.
• GM (General Motors): As a manufacturer of commercial trucks and vehicles, changes in underride regulations may require GM to adjust its designs accordingly.
• TSLA (Tesla, Inc.): With Tesla producing electric trucks, the new safety regulations could require adjustments in design and production, particularly regarding the integration of underride guards.