U.S. Legislative News

NTSB Publishes Recommendations on Limo Safety

In the course of an ongoing investigation into a 2018 limousine crash that resulted in 20 fatalities, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released a report containing several limo safety recommendations to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the New York State Department of Transportation. This includes recommendations for limos to be equipped with lap/shoulder belts in all passenger seating positions and state inspection requirements to ensure seat belts are installed and functioning.

The recommendations will bolster the efforts of some in Congress who have championed improving the NHTSA limo safety standards. Several tragic limo crashes have highlighted the gaps in the safety standards required for stretch limos.

 

Outline of U.S.-China Trade Deal Takes Shape

After a course of negotiations between China’s Vice Premier Liu He and President Donald Trump, the White House announced that “phase one” of a trade deal between the nations had been verbally agreed to. The deal reportedly includes provisions for China to purchase increased amounts of U.S. agricultural products, take certain intellectual proper measures, and make reforms related to financial services and their currency. In exchange, the U.S. will put off a scheduled tariff increase.

While the apparent breakthrough in negotiations has been largely welcomed, China wants to continue working out some details of the agreement through further talks before a final deal is signed. This likely reflects China’s desire to have the U.S. call off a set of tariffs slated to be imposed in mid-December. The actual substance of the deal is expected to materialize over the coming weeks.

 

Report Addressed Fuel Economy and GHG Emissions from Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recently published a report titled, “Reducing the Fuel Consumption and Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles.” Medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (MHDVs) make up a significant portion of the transportation energy users in the U.S. but have only recently started having federally regulated fuel consumption.

The report recommends that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conduct an interim evaluation of current MHDV regulations to ensure they are effective and of value. The report found that NHTSA and EPA do not have credible, real-world data to create a regulatory baseline at this time.

However, the report also notes that there are many emerging MHDV technologies being developed that will aid in improving efficiencies and emissions. NAFA supports the development of technologies that increase vehicle sustainability, and standards that are uniform and technologically feasible to ensure auto industry stability.