Driver Technology and Pedestrian Safety Act of 2024

Transportation and Public Works

house

senate

president

Introduced on October 25, 2024 by Kevin Mullin

Legislation Details

Directs the Secretary of Transportation to conduct a study on driver-controlled technology in motor vehicles.
Focuses on the impact of such technology on severe traffic injuries and fatalities, particularly for vulnerable road users like pedestrians and bicyclists.
The study must be conducted in agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.
The study period should cover data from no later than 10 years prior to the agreement.
Key areas of investigation include:
- Prevalence and characteristics of touch screen-based systems.
- Effects of replacing tactile controls with touch screens on driver distraction and traffic incidents.
- User interface designs and their influence on driver behavior.
- Comparison of risks associated with touch screen manipulation versus smartphone use while driving.
- Impact of time of day and road conditions on traffic injuries and fatalities.
A report with findings must be submitted to Congress within 24 months of the agreement.
Recommendations to reduce traffic injuries and fatalities must be provided within 2 months after the report.
Recommendations should include potential changes to federal data collection systems related to touch screen and smartphone use while driving.
Definitions provided for terms such as “commercial motor vehicle,” “driver-controlled technology,” “motor vehicle,” “tactile motor vehicle control,” and “touch screen-based system.”
The Act does not prevent the promulgation of existing regulations or require changes to them.

Last updated 12/17/2024

Directs the Secretary of Transportation to conduct a study on driver-controlled technology in motor vehicles.
Focuses on the impact of such technology on severe traffic injuries and fatalities, particularly for vulnerable road users like pedestrians and bicyclists.
The study must be conducted in agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.
The study period should cover data from no later than 10 years prior to the agreement.
Key areas of investigation include:
- Prevalence and characteristics of touch screen-based systems.
- Effects of replacing tactile controls with touch screens on driver distraction and traffic incidents.
- User interface designs and their influence on driver behavior.
- Comparison of risks associated with touch screen manipulation versus smartphone use while driving.
- Impact of time of day and road conditions on traffic injuries and fatalities.
A report with findings must be submitted to Congress within 24 months of the agreement.
Recommendations to reduce traffic injuries and fatalities must be provided within 2 months after the report.
Recommendations should include potential changes to federal data collection systems related to touch screen and smartphone use while driving.
Definitions provided for terms such as “commercial motor vehicle,” “driver-controlled technology,” “motor vehicle,” “tactile motor vehicle control,” and “touch screen-based system.”
The Act does not prevent the promulgation of existing regulations or require changes to them.