Latest news with #ANPRM
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Will NHTSA's Anti-Drunk-Driving Tech Mandate Survive 2025?
Back in January 2024, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) calling for a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) that would mandate impaired-driving detection systems in every new passenger vehicle sold in the United States. Born from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (passed in late 2021), the proposal aimed to combat the 13,000-plus annual deaths caused by alcohol-impaired driving with passive detection systems built directly into cars. Now it's June 2025 and we're still waiting. Eighteen thousand public comments later, with no clear implementation update. No final rule. No rollout plan. Just a quick review behind the scenes as political priorities shift in Washington. The timing couldn't be more uncertain. President Donald Trump, now returned to office, has a deeply personal disdain for alcohol due to the death of his brother, Fred Trump, Jr., who in 1981 at the age of 42, died from a heart attack caused by his alcohol use. President Trump has also championed deregulation and railed against federal overreach in the private sector. The question now hanging over this initiative is: Will his administration kill the mandate, slow-walk it or push forward with modifications? NHTSA's early 2024 filing didn't propose a specific technology. It proposed a performance standard. This would allow automakers to choose from a range of solutions: Breath-based alcohol interlocks. Touch sensors. Driver monitoring systems using cameras. Behavioral analytics for drowsiness or distraction. NHTSA even broadened the scope beyond alcohol. its notice expanded coverage to include drowsy and distracted driving, arguably more common and complicated to regulate. This drew both praise and criticism. Critics argued that detection methods for drowsiness and distraction vary too widely to be regulated with a one-size-fits-all mandate. Right now, NHTSA is in the rule review phase. With a presidential transition, it's unclear whether the proposal will move forward. Key issues include: Cost to OEMs and consumers. False positives and liability concerns. Privacy and surveillance fears. Implementation feasibility by 2026. Although GM publicly stated it's ready to implement impairment-detection tech, other manufacturers have been quieter. As of mid-2025, no formal regulation has been issued — just public comment summaries, stakeholder meetings and ongoing reviews. While the proposed FMVSS applies only to new passenger vehicles, fleets should monitor the regulatory horizon. CDL holders face stricter standards than the general public. Under 49 CFR 392.5, a CDL driver operating a vehicle over 26,001 pounds can be put out of service for any detectable alcohol. The Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) limit for commercial drivers is 0.04%, half that of the general public. Any measurable alcohol during on-duty status, even if below 0.04, can lead to immediate enforcement action. As detection systems evolve, especially as litigation pressures grow, fleets may face pressure to adopt similar tech voluntarily. Dashcams, biometric sensors and driver wellness programs are already laying the groundwork. The insurance market may not wait for a mandate. The future of this rule rests on three pivots: Will NHTSA push a final rule before the 2026 target implementation date? Will the Trump administration support, delay or strike it down? Will automakers begin adopting the tech regardless, due to liability and market pressure? There's no clear answer yet. What is clear is that drunk driving deaths are still rising, and both the public and private sectors are actively seeking solutions. Whether this takes the form of federal mandates, OEM-led features or fleet-driven initiatives, the road to real-time impairment detection is already paved; it's just a question of who gets there first and how. We may be watching the beginning of one of the most controversial vehicle safety regulations in decades or the quiet death of another ambitious government mandate. Either way, fleets and safety managers would do well to prepare, because the margin for error in impaired driving is evaporating fast and technology is watching. The post Will NHTSA's Anti-Drunk-Driving Tech Mandate Survive 2025? appeared first on FreightWaves.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Court Overturns Biden's Car Dealer Scam Protections — 3 Red Flags To Watch For
Buying a car can be a hassle. Not only do you have to spend time shopping around for the best deal within your budget, but you also have to ensure you're not being swindled in the process. Until recently, a proposed rule aimed to shield consumers from car-buying scams and deceptive practices by car dealers. Learn More: Try This: Under President Joe Biden's administration, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) introduced the Combating Auto Retail Scams (CARS) rule. It was designed to protect consumers from deceptive car dealer practices and junk fees while benefiting honest dealers. Here are the rule's four basic principles, according to the FTC: Prohibits misrepresentations about material information: Deceptive claims about financing, pricing or add-ons are not allowed. Requires car dealers to disclose the actual offering price: Consumers have a right to know the drive-off-the-lot price before visiting the dealership and throughout the buying process, excluding any required government charges. Makes it illegal for car dealerships to charge consumers for unnecessary add-ons: Dealers cannot charge extra for add-ons that do not benefit the consumer. Requires car dealers to obtain consumers' explicit, informed consent before charging them: This provision ensures there are no surprise fees or hidden charges. Dealers must receive a clear 'yes' from the buyer before applying any charges. However, a recent court ruling overturned CARS, which will impact the way we purchase cars. According to Troutman Pepper Locke, on Jan. 27, 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit issued an opinion vacating the FTC's CARS Rule after two major automobile trade associations, the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) and the Texas Automobile Dealers Association (TADA), filed petitions. Discover More: NADA and TADA challenged the rule's legality, arguing that the FTC violated its regulations by failing to issue an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) before introducing the rule. An ANPRM is a preliminary notice stating that a government agency is considering regulatory action. Generally, agencies must issue an ANPRM before developing a new rule. The trade associations also argued that the FTC conducted a rushed and inadequate cost-benefit analysis before finalizing the rule. 'Monday's (Jan. 27, 2025) decision by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals on NADA's and TADA's legal challenge is a victory for the rule of law and a great outcome for consumers,' stated a recent NADA press release. NADA and TADA celebrated the court's decision, claiming the rule would have added significant time and undue burden to both consumers and dealers. However, without the rule, consumers may continue to face deceptive practices and junk fees from dishonest dealers. Here's what to watch for. Now that this key consumer protection rule has been struck down, here are three red flags to be aware of when shopping for your next car: If you're in the car-buying process, question every fee listed. An honest dealership should be able to clearly explain all charges and why they are required. If they can't, consider taking your business elsewhere to avoid overpaying. If you see an advertisement for a vehicle at a significantly lower price than the market rate, be cautious. For example, if a car typically sells for $35,000 but is advertised for $25,000, there may be hidden fees or conditions. Shop around at multiple dealerships to ensure you're getting a fair and honest deal. If a dealer promotes financing terms with interest rates significantly lower than the average car loan, proceed with caution. They may not be disclosing all the terms upfront. Consider securing financing through your bank or credit union instead of relying on dealership offers. With the CARS Rule overturned, it's more important than ever for consumers to stay informed and vigilant during the car-buying process. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on Court Overturns Biden's Car Dealer Scam Protections — 3 Red Flags To Watch For
