Bill would help protect consumers from losing loved ones in truck underride crashes
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Consumer Reports announced its support for the Stop Underrides Act, a bill introduced today in Congress to make roadway crashes between large trucks and passenger vehicles less severe. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) in the Senate and Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) and Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (D-Calif.) in the House, would direct the U.S. Department of Transportation to issue rules requiring strong metal bars on the rear, sides, and front of trailers, semi-trailers, and single-unit trucks.
Underride guards are proven to help stop a car from continuing under a truck in the event of a collision. This helps avoid windshield-first crashes and improves the chances that a car’s air bags and other lifesaving built-in occupant protection systems can function as intended.
David Friedman, Vice President of Advocacy for Consumer Reports, said:
“Congress should pass the Stop Underrides Act right away. After more than 60 years of study by the federal government, it is well past time for our nation to protect families from losing loved ones in truck underride crashes. Stronger underride guards on trucks will make these crashes far less severe. The technology is there—what’s been missing is the will to put it to work. Passing this bill can change that.”
As part of a package of stories on trucks and highway safety published in the August 2018 issue of Consumer Reports magazine, CR explored new technologies and policies that could help reduce the risks of big rigs, and called for Congress to require strong underride guards on all large trucks. The organization also offered consumer advice for driving safely around trucks.
Contact: David Butler, dbutler@consumer.org, 202-462-6262
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