Collision Avoidance Systems Act of 2025
The Collision Avoidance Systems Act of 2025 would clarify and accelerate the use of pulsating light systems for high-mounted stop lamps (the third brake light) by federal safety standards. Starting from enactment, it would deem the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108 (FMVSS 108) to allow pulsating brake lights and require the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations within 180 days to update the standard with performance-based requirements and to permit these systems on motor vehicles. The bill also creates a precise definition of a pulsating light system, specifying the timing and behavior of pulses and a lock-out period to prevent repeated pulses in quick succession. Overall, the measure aims to enhance rear-end collision avoidance by enabling a distinct pulsating signal before conventional continuous braking light behavior resumes.
Key Points
- 1Short title: The bill is named the Collision Avoidance Systems Act of 2025.
- 2Clarification on pulsating light systems: Beginning upon enactment, FMVSS 108 shall be deemed to allow pulsating high-mounted stop lamps on vehicles covered by the standard.
- 3Rulemaking deadline: Within 180 days of enactment, the Secretary of Transportation must update FMVSS 108 to include performance-based standards for pulsating light systems and to authorize their use in motor vehicles.
- 4Definition of pulsating light system: For a high-mounted stop lamp, when brakes are applied, the lamp pulses rapidly no more than 4 times and for no more than 1.2 seconds, then remains continuous until brakes are released; pulses cannot repeat on a subsequent brake application for at least a 5-second lock-out after brake release.
- 5Definition of standards: The bill uses Standard 108 to refer to FMVSS 108 (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 108, 49 CFR 571.108).