Luján Statement on NHTSA Actions to Address Underride Crashes

Washington D.C. – U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) issued the following statement after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) took action to address rear and side underride crashes through rulemaking, increased research, improved data collection, and launching an advisory committee as established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law:

“I’m pleased to see the Department of Transportation update their safety standards, which will improve protection for drivers and passengers in the event of a rear or side underride crash. These safety updates come after months of urging Secretary Pete Buttigieg and NHTSA Administrator Steven Cliff to enact them through my role on the Commerce Committee. I’m also proud to have cosponsored the Stop Underrides Act, the legislation from which many of the underride provisions in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law originated.

“These collisions are preventable, and this investment, research, and focus on this important safety issue will save lives. I look forward to further collaboration with the Department of Transportation as it implements these vital safety changes.”