Collision Avoidance Systems Act of 2025
Collision Avoidance Systems Act of 2025
Plain Language Summary
# Collision Avoidance Systems Act of 2025 — Summary **What the Bill Does** This bill would allow vehicles to use a new type of brake light that pulses rapidly when the brakes are applied. Instead of the traditional steady red brake light, this system would flash up to four times in 1.2 seconds to catch drivers' attention, then switch to a normal continuous light until the brake is released. The Department of Transportation would need to create safety standards and regulations to govern how these pulsating lights work on different vehicles. **Who It Affects** The bill would apply to all types of vehicles—cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles, and trailers.
It would affect manufacturers who design vehicles and potentially drivers, as the new brake lights could theoretically make brake activation more noticeable to following drivers and help prevent rear-end collisions. **Current Status** The bill (S. 2290) was introduced by Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) in the 119th Congress and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full Senate.
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
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.