Vehicle Safety
Bills Introduced in New Hampshire, New York, and Virginia would Loosen Vehicle Safety Inspection Requirements
NHTSA Announces Effort to Modernize Vehicle Lighting Standards Bills were recently introduced in New Hampshire, New York, and Virginia that would loosen requirements around those states’ vehicle safety inspection programs. New Hampshire House Bill (HB) 209 would exempt a vehicle, purchased from a licensed dealer prior to or during the vehicle’s model year, from the…
Read MoreMissouri Bills Pre-Filed Ahead of Legislative Session would Impact Auto Repairers
NHTSA Announces Effort to Modernize Vehicle Lighting Standards State legislative lawmakers in Missouri have already introduced a number of bills that could impact automotive repair shops directly or indirectly if they become law. Missouri’s next legislative session doesn’t start until January 8, 2025, but the state allows their legislators to “pre-file” bills before the session…
Read MoreMaine Right to Repair Working Group Debates Suggestions it should Provide to the Legislature
NHTSA Announces Effort to Modernize Vehicle Lighting Standards The Maine Right to Repair Working Group met this week to review a draft report with legislative suggestions that the Maine attorney general would send to elected officials in the state legislature. The attorney general is required by law to submit the report to the legislature by…
Read MoreASA Leaders Provide Insight on Rising Cost of Auto Repairs in Wall Street Journal Article
NHTSA Announces Effort to Modernize Vehicle Lighting Standards ASA Board Chairman Scott Benavidez and Incoming Chair Dan Stander provided insight on the causes behind the rising costs of automotive repairs in an article published today in the Wall Street Journal. The owners of Mr. B’s Paint and Body Shop in Albuquerque, NM and FIX Auto…
Read MoreU.S. Department of Commerce Proposes Ban on Chinese Auto Hardware and Software used in Vehicle Connectivity Systems
NHTSA Announces Effort to Modernize Vehicle Lighting Standards The United States Department of Commerce has proposed a rule that would ban imports of Chinese vehicles as well as automotive hardware and software components involved with an automobile’s vehicle connectivity systems (VCS). VCS allows vehicles to communicate externally through Bluetooth, cellular, satellite, and Wi-Fi telematics. Some…
Read MoreBill Introduced that would Bar DOT from using Chinese LiDAR
NHTSA Announces Effort to Modernize Vehicle Lighting Standards A bipartisan bill was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives that would prevent the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) from engaging with LiDAR technology affiliated with the Chinese Government. Specifically, the “Securing Infrastructure from Adversaries Act” would prohibit DOT from: Procuring LiDAR from a covered company.…
Read MoreCalifornia Legislature Passes AV Bill Similar to one Vetoed by Governor Last Year
NHTSA Announces Effort to Modernize Vehicle Lighting Standards The California Legislature passed a bill – AB 2286 – that would prohibit heavy duty vehicles autonomous vehicles (AVs) from driving on roads in the state unless a licensed operator is present in the vehicle. The bill is very similar to a bill that Governor Newsom vetoed…
Read MoreU.S. DOT Unveils Plans for V2X Deployment
NHTSA Announces Effort to Modernize Vehicle Lighting Standards The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) unveiled plans for the deployment of vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology on roadways in the country. Titled, “Saving Lives with Connectivity: A Plan to Accelerate V2X Deployment”, the plan “will guide the implementation of vehicle-to-everything technologies across the nation and support USDOT’s commitment…
Read MoreFederal Agency Issues Warning on Substandard Aftermarket Airbags
NHTSA Announces Effort to Modernize Vehicle Lighting Standards The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a consumer alert regarding substandard replacement airbag inflators that have killed three people and severely wounded two others. In its alert, NHTSA explained that these defective parts were installed after the vehicle in which it was installed was involved…
Read MoreRhode Island State Senate Passes Pro-OEM Parts Bill
NHTSA Announces Effort to Modernize Vehicle Lighting Standards The Rhode Island State Senate passed a bill that would restrict insurance companies’ ability to refuse to cover OEM repair parts in certain situations. Under the current law in Rhode Island, insurers are not allowed to require the use of non-OEM parts on vehicles that are less…
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