The Regulatory Speed Bump
Automakers have long helped advance road safety, with brands such as Volvo often leading the way. But their innovations are still shaped by region-specific regulations — a situation that has come under scrutiny in the U.S., as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration faces criticism over delays to safety tests and requirements.
According to Automotive News, NHTSA — America’s federal vehicle-safety regulator — has proposed delays for at least 18 tests for vehicle safety features, while at least 10 congressionally mandated rules are overdue. Critics argue that such delays, especially as advanced driver-assistance features become more common, contribute to preventable deaths, even though the traffic fatality rate in 2025 was the second-lowest on the agency’s record.
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Growing To-Do List
NHTSA has reportedly proposed pushing back implementation dates for tests including enhanced forward-collision warning, rear automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian automatic emergency braking, alongside rating systems for crash-avoidance technologies, vulnerable road user safety, and overall safety.
One notable mandate concerns advanced impaired-driving prevention technology, sometimes described by critics as a “kill switch.” It calls for systems that passively detect impairment or excessive blood alcohol levels and prevent or limit vehicle operation. A final rule was originally due in November 2024, although the law allows an extension under certain conditions. NHTSA has cited unresolved accuracy and reliability issues with the technology.
Earlier this year, two U.S. senators also asked NHTSA to examine Tesla’s Full Self-Driving safety statistics, describing the underlying analysis as “weak and misleading.” They requested a response by July 7, though the agency has not publicly responded and was not required to meet that deadline.
In NHTSA’s defense, the agency is reportedly struggling with “a limited budget and payroll cuts.” A growing workload also contributes to the backlog. For instance, Congress directed NHTSA to issue new tire regulations related to minimum performance for fuel efficiency and wet traction in 2015. The agency completed an initial assessment in 2017, but said in 2024 that the data no longer represented the current fleet, forcing it to redo the assessment.
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More Voices in Road Safety
With lives on the line, delays to road-safety regulations will almost always come under fire.
Aside from NHTSA, other groups have been doing their part to advance road safety. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts crash tests and evaluates safety features to help buyers make informed decisions. Based on recent testing of 2026 model-year vehicles, Hyundai Motor Group has been among the stronger performers, with models such as the Ioniq 5 and Tucson earning the coveted Top Safety Pick+ award. Organizations such as Consumer Reports also help empower the public through independent testing, research, and consumer guidance.
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