CMT Hearing: Looking Under the Hood: The State of NHTSA and Motor Vehicle Safety

Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection

2025-06-26

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Source: Congress.gov

Summary

This hearing focused on motor vehicle safety and the current state of the automotive industry, with an emphasis on informing future legislative efforts to reauthorize surface transportation programs and develop a comprehensive motor vehicle safety title [ 00:18:44 ] . A primary objective discussed was to address the tragic reality of nearly 40,000 annual motor vehicle crash fatalities and their significant economic cost [ 00:19:51 ] . The discussion highlighted the critical role of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the need for robust, modern regulation to save lives, foster American competitiveness, and shape the future of transportation .

Themes

Motor Vehicle Safety and NHTSA's Efficacy

Numerous speakers expressed deep concern over the high and increasing rates of motor vehicle fatalities and injuries, which impose enormous economic costs on the country [ 00:19:51 ] . There was a strong consensus on the crucial role of NHTSA in addressing these issues through education, regulatory work, and enforcement . However, several members and witnesses criticized NHTSA for its perceived lack of transparency, collaboration, and agility, especially in developing and implementing new safety standards . Calls were made to strengthen NHTSA with adequate staffing and resources, and to modernize its New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) to effectively inform consumers and drive innovation [ 00:28:54 ]

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. Specific issues raised included the slow implementation of mandates for impaired driving prevention technology and child hot car detection systems, as well as the need to address distracted driving linked to mobile phone use and complex in-vehicle touchscreens . Concerns were also voiced about car manufacturers' practices regarding customer data privacy, including sharing location data without warrants and selling data to brokers .

Autonomous Vehicle (AV) Technology and Regulation

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) were presented as a "generational opportunity" to prevent crashes, enhance mobility for elderly and disabled Americans, and bolster economic growth . Witnesses highlighted the rapid advancement of AV technology, with industry members logging over 145 million autonomous miles on U.S. public roads . A central theme was the urgent need for a robust federal regulatory framework for AVs to ensure safety, promote American leadership, and prevent a patchwork of inconsistent state laws that could hinder deployment and innovation . Several speakers expressed concern that the absence of clear federal guidelines places U.S. companies at a disadvantage against global competitors like China [ 00:47:06 ]

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. There were calls for NHTSA to improve data collection on AV incidents to better assess their safety performance and for the modernization of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) to accommodate unique AV designs . The importance of public trust in AVs was emphasized, with industry representatives advocating for transparency, public education, and collaboration with first responders . Privacy and cybersecurity concerns for AVs, particularly regarding the collection of continuous video feeds and other data, were also discussed, with calls for data minimization, transparency, and consumer control .

Automotive Industry Competitiveness and Economic Impact

The automotive industry was highlighted as America's largest manufacturing sector, supporting millions of jobs and significantly contributing to exports and GDP . Speakers underscored the need for a regulatory environment that supports rather than impedes American leadership in automotive innovation . Concerns were raised about unfair competition from government-subsidized vehicles in countries like China and the impact of tariffs on the industry . The industry voiced a strong need for regulatory certainty to facilitate long-term investment, protect jobs, and maintain global competitiveness, particularly in the transition to electric and automated vehicles . The rising cost of car ownership and repair was also discussed, with advocacy for "right to repair" legislation to preserve consumer choice and ensure a fair marketplace for independent repair technicians .

Tone of the Meeting

The tone of the meeting was primarily serious and concerned[ 00:18:49 ] , driven by the gravity of rising road fatalities and the complexities of regulating a rapidly evolving industry. Speakers repeatedly emphasized the importance of a bipartisan approach to address these critical issues, often framing safety as a non-partisan concern [ 00:19:24 ] . A clear sense of urgency was palpable, particularly regarding NHTSA's perceived slowness in implementing mandated safety measures and establishing clear regulatory frameworks for new technologies . While there was an optimistic view of the potential of advanced technologies like AVs, this was tempered by caution and skepticism regarding their current readiness, the need for robust oversight, and the importance of thorough data collection to ensure safety . Discussions also reflected a commitment to protecting consumers, fostering innovation, and maintaining America's global competitiveness .

Participants

Transcript

Subcommittee will come to order.  Chairman recognized himself for five minutes for an opening statement.  Good morning and thank you to our witnesses for joining us today.   Today's educational hearing on motor vehicle safety and the safe state of the automotive industry.  And I look forward to a robust and informative discussion that will help Congress and specifically the subcommittee gain a clearer understanding of motor vehicle safety issues and its regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or NHTSA.   Automobile safety has been a long-standing topic of the subcommittee, and we play a crucial role in ensuring that the vehicles on our roadways are safe for families, workers, and the traveling public.   Automobiles are deeply woven into the fabric of American life, from commuting to work, to picking up kids at school, to taking a cross-country road trip.  Automobiles are both a cultural icon and a pillar of the American dream.  That's why today's hearing marks the beginning of a bipartisan, member-driven, and stakeholder-informed process to develop a motor vehicle safety title as part of Congress's broader efforts to reauthorize our service transportation programs.   As part of this, the subcommittee is spearheading a bipartisan process to solicit stakeholder input to inform a motor vehicle safety title.  Further, myself and Chairman Bilirakis will seek priorities from our committee members to ensure our product reflects the priorities of our diverse membership.  Our primary objective will be to find solutions to address the tragic reality that nearly 40,000 Americans die annually from motor vehicle crashes, a staggering and tragic statistic.   These crashes also lead to hundreds of billions in economic losses and cost to taxpayers tens of billions of dollars.  NHTSA plans plays a central role in addressing this pressure issue through its education programs, regulatory work, and enforcement efforts.  Congress must ensure that the agency is equipped and needed to fulfill its mission and save lives.
Second, we must continue to recognize the economic importance of the automotive sector.   This industry is America's largest manufacturing base, supporting tens of millions of jobs across the country and serving as a major driver of exports.  As global competitors, especially China, seek to dominate the future of automotive innovation, Congress must examine how our regulatory structure can foster rather than hinder American leadership.   This includes looking at ways to modernize and streamline regulations while maintaining our strong safety standards.  Third, we must embrace the future of mobility.  The emergence of automated vehicle technology presents a generational opportunity to prevent crashes, restore independence to millions of elderly and disabled Americans, and bolster economic growth.  Congress must use this opportunity to advance a robust regulatory framework for autonomous vehicle technology.   To achieve these goals, I look forward to working in a bipartisan manner with Chairman Bilirakis, Ranking Member Schakowsky, Chairman Guthrie, and Ranking Member Pallone.  Together, we can craft a smart, balanced policy of solutions that save lives, strengthen American competitiveness, and shape the future of transportation for the better.  Thank you again to our witnesses for being here today, and I look forward to your testimony.  With that, Chairman recognizes the Ranking Member, Ms.  Schakowsky, for five minutes for an opening statement.
Thank you so much.   I want to congratulate and thank Kathy Chase, who is with, what is it?  Advocates.  Advocates.  It's got a longer name than that, except it's advocates for safety.  And I want to say that we were able to pass a number of pieces of legislation, some that we'll talk about later.   and some that we need to push forward on.  But I do just want to say that it is true that about 70,000 people have died on the highway and we have to do better than that.  These are numbers that are going up, not down.  And so we have to focus on what are the things that are going to save   more people on the highway.  So I am happy right now to call on Mr. Mullen to talk about highway safety and focus on his community.  It's yours.
Thank you, Ranking Member Schakowsky.  Thank you, Mr. Chair.  And thank you to the witnesses for being here today.   Recent transformative developments in vehicle technology have been exciting to see, and they speak to the need for congressional action.  One topic of our hearing today will be autonomous vehicles.  As someone who represents most of the San Francisco Peninsula, which has been the epicenter of autonomous vehicle development, I've seen firsthand how rapidly this technology is advancing.   While other areas of the country are beginning to take note, Waymos have been cruising through my district for years now.  It has truly been remarkable to see and experience this technology firsthand.  I see its potential for transforming traffic safety and eventually leading to a rapid decline in injuries and fatalities.  And I believe as it develops, we have a responsibility to make sure it's safe and not causing unintended consequences.

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