Driver Technology and Pedestrian Safety Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3360
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Transportation and Public Works
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-02-10: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-24T08:08:58Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Driver Technology and Pedestrian Safety Act of 2025 directs the Secretary of Transportation to commission a study on how driver-controlled technology—such as touch screens in vehicles—affects severe traffic injuries and fatalities, particularly for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other vulnerable road users. The goal is to gather data and provide recommendations to improve road safety.
Key Provisions
- Study Agreement: Within 3 months of enactment (subject to funding), the Secretary must seek an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct the study. The study period covers up to 10 years before the agreement date.
- Study Scope: The study examines:
- Prevalence and features of touch screen-based systems (e.g., screens that control vehicle functions like infotainment).
- Impacts of replacing physical controls (e.g., knobs or switches) with touch screens or other driver-controlled tech on driver distraction, property damage, injuries, and fatalities.
- Effects of system designs (e.g., screen brightness, size) and user interfaces on driver behavior.
- Comparison of risks from using vehicle touch screens versus handheld smartphones while driving.
- Influence of factors like time of day, traffic, weather, and commercial vehicles on incidents, including differences between the U.S. and other countries, and potential mitigation strategies.
- Any other relevant information, such as prior studies.
- Report and Recommendations:
- Within 24 months of the agreement, submit a report with findings to Congress and publish it on the Department of Transportation (DOT) website.
- Within 2 months after the report, submit recommendations to Congress focused on reducing injuries and fatalities, including updates to federal data systems like the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (a database tracking crash deaths) and surveys on safety equipment use.
- Recommendations must categorize actions: those implementable under existing federal authority (e.g., guidance or standards by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA) versus those needing new laws. They cannot simply restate current rules.
- Definitions: Key terms include:
- Driver-controlled technology: Optional vehicle controls (e.g., touch screens) that drivers engage, excluding automatic safety features like braking or lights.
- Touch screen-based system: A vehicle computer with a primary touch-screen interface for functions like infotainment, which may integrate with smartphones.
- Tactile motor vehicle control: Physical buttons, knobs, or switches (not touch screens).
- Motor vehicle: Passenger vehicles as defined in federal law.
- Commercial motor vehicle: Includes large trucks and ride-sharing vehicles.
- Rules of Construction: The Act does not prevent or delay existing regulations. Courts must defer to the Secretary's reasonable interpretations of ambiguous terms.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces no direct amendments to current laws but mandates a new study and recommendations that could lead to future updates in federal safety standards, data collection methods, and vehicle technology guidelines. It builds on existing NHTSA authority without altering it immediately.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The DOT and NHTSA will oversee the study, report, and recommendations, potentially requiring resource allocation for data improvements and safety guidance. This could enhance federal crash data accuracy across states.
- Citizens: Drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and other road users may benefit from safer vehicle designs and reduced distractions, potentially lowering injury and fatality rates. Improved data collection could inform better public awareness and enforcement of distracted driving laws.
- International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though the study includes comparisons with other countries, which could influence U.S. alignment with global vehicle safety standards.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Vulnerable Road Users: Pedestrians, bicyclists, and others at higher risk from driver distractions.
- Drivers and Vehicle Owners: Affected by potential changes to in-car technology and distraction-related safety measures.
- Automobile Manufacturers and Tech Developers: May face new guidance or standards on touch screens and controls.
- Federal Agencies: DOT and NHTSA for implementation; National Academies for conducting the study.
- Congress and State/Local Governments: Involved in reviewing recommendations and possibly enacting new laws; states benefit from standardized data collection.
- Transportation Network Companies: Operators of ride-sharing vehicles, included in commercial motor vehicle definitions.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Provides judicial deference to the Secretary's interpretations, promoting administrative flexibility. Ensures the Act complements rather than hinders ongoing regulations, avoiding conflicts with existing vehicle safety laws.
- Constitutional: No apparent issues; aligns with Congress's authority to regulate interstate commerce and promote general welfare through transportation safety.
- Political: Highlights growing concerns over modern vehicle interfaces (e.g., touch screens replacing physical buttons) amid rising distraction-related crashes. Could spark debates on regulating auto industry innovations versus consumer demands for tech features, potentially leading to bipartisan support for road safety enhancements.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (2)
Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]
Recent Actions
- 2026-02-10: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.
- 2026-02-10: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2025-05-13: Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade.
- 2025-05-13: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2025-05-13: Introduced in House
- 2025-05-13: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Driver Technology and Pedestrian Safety Act of 2025 — issued 2025-05-13 — PDF (8 pages)