The U.S. government is set to implement a significant update to its automobile safety ratings beginning with the 2026 model year. This move comes as regulators introduce new driver-assistance technologies and tests aimed at enhancing pedestrian protection. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently finalized these changes, which were mandated by Congress under the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law.
Among the key updates, the agency will introduce four new technologies to the safety ratings system. These include pedestrian automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind spot warning, and intervention to prevent a driver from moving towards a vehicle in a blind spot. Additionally, the new rule will enhance test procedures and performance standards for existing technologies like automatic emergency braking.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg highlighted the importance of these changes, emphasizing that the updated ratings will not only consider the safety of occupants during a crash but also evaluate how a vehicle's design can help prevent accidents or reduce their severity for individuals outside the vehicle.
Under the new system, the familiar five-star crash test ratings will remain unchanged. However, consumers will now also see green check marks on vehicles equipped with the specified safety features, indicating compliance with government standards. These features will initially receive a pass or fail grade, with plans to introduce scores later for easier vehicle comparisons.
The updated standards are expected to incentivize automakers to accelerate the deployment of these safety features. To earn credit for these technologies, automakers must make them standard equipment on their vehicles. This requirement aims to encourage consumer awareness and influence purchasing decisions based on safety considerations.
Furthermore, the new regulations will enforce stricter test procedures for existing safety features like automatic emergency braking, with a mandate for this technology to be standard on all passenger vehicles by 2029.
Secretary Buttigieg indicated that these changes are just the beginning of a series of regulations planned by the Department of Transportation. The department is committed to implementing impactful rules that prioritize public safety and have undergone extensive development.
