Collision Avoidance Systems Act of 2025
Collision Avoidance Systems Act of 2025
Plain Language Summary
# Collision Avoidance Systems Act of 2025 - Plain Language Summary **What the bill does:** This bill would allow cars, trucks, buses, and motorcycles to use a new type of brake light system. Instead of the traditional steady red brake light, vehicles could use a "pulsating" light that flashes rapidly up to four times (for a maximum of 1.2 seconds) when the brakes are applied, then switches to a regular continuous light. The bill requires the Department of Transportation to update federal safety standards to permit and set performance rules for these systems. **Who it affects and why:** This would primarily affect vehicle manufacturers and drivers.
The idea behind pulsating brake lights is safety—the flashing motion is meant to catch drivers' attention more effectively than a steady light, potentially reducing rear-end collisions by making it more obvious when a vehicle is braking. Travelers and commuters would benefit from improved safety if the system proves effective. **Current status:** The bill is currently in committee (HR 1361), meaning it has been introduced in the House but hasn't been debated or voted on yet. It was sponsored by Representative Daniel Webster (R-FL).
CRS Official Summary
Collision Avoidance Systems Act of 2025This bill allows for the use of a pulsating light system for vehicle braking.Specifically, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 108 (Standard 108) must be deemed to allow for the use of a pulsating light system on covered vehicles (i.e., passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, buses, trailers, and motorcycles). The Department of Transportation must issue regulations to update Standard 108 to (1) include performance-based standards for pulsating light systems, and (2) allow for the use of the systems on motor vehicles.As background, Standard 108 regulates all automotive lighting, signaling, and reflective devices. Under the bill, a pulsating light system includes a system for a high-mounted stop lamp in which the lamp pulses rapidly no more than four times and for no more than 1.2 seconds when the brake of the vehicle is applied and then converts to a continuous light (as a normal stop lamp) until the brake is released.
Latest Action
Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.