Document 8VRLxGoKnv6zmJ09DwBj4MYX5

DANIEL WEBSTER 11TH DISTRICT, FLORIDA COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE, SPACE AND TECHNOLOGY Congre55 of Me tiniteb tateg *ti5e of ikepregentatibe5 ZalitOingtott, ;3(C 20515-0011 February 28, 2025 WASHINGTON OFFICE 2184 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON, DC 20515 (204 225-1002 13521 241-9220 (FAX) CLERMONT OFFICE: 1200 OAKLEY SEAVER DRIVE, SUITE 203 CLERMONT, FL 34711 PHONE & FAX (352) 241-9220 The Honorable Sean Duffy Secretary U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590 Dear Secretary Duffy: Congratulations on your confirmation as the Secretary of Transportation. Your bipartisan confirmation reflects the trust placed in you to address critical challenges in our nation's transportation systems, and I am confident in your ability to lead with integrity and vision. As the lead sponsor of the bipartisan Collision Avoidance Systems Act (H.R. 1361), I write to emphasize what I believe is an urgent need for your leadership on a long-standing regulatory issue concerning pulsating brake light technology. This proven safety innovation, effectively used on millions of U.S. vehicles for over two decades, reduces rear-end collisions by more than 30 percent and has been approved by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for commercial vehicles. The legislation, which had 59 bipartisan cosponsors in the 118th Congress (H.R. 5455), seeks to align pulsating brake lights technology for passenger vehicles with global safety standards and laws in multiple states. Despite these safety benefits and legislative efforts, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been planning to take enforcement action against hundreds of dealerships selling this safety device, including dealers in my district. This action threatens to shut down long-standing businesses in my district and nationwide that have responsibly provided this safety feature to drivers for over 20 years. Compliance warnings and the threat of significant fines have created legal uncertainty, financial risk, and unnecessary hardship for an industry committed to road safety. Additionally, NHTSA has delayed the congressionally mandated study on rear-end collision avoidance systems, originally directed in 2019, awarding it only in September 2024. This study is critical in providing a clear regulatory framework and resolving these challenges. As you take on this new role, I hope you will consider prioritizing this issue and the following actions: 1. Suspend Enforcement Actions -- Direct NHTSA to halt enforcement measures related to the installation and use of pulsating brake light technology until the congressionally mandated study is completed and reviewed. WVVW.WEBSTER.HOUSE.GOV I TWITTER.COM/REPWEBSTER FACEBOOK.COM/REPWEBSTER Sierra Club v. Dept. of Transp. - 3:25-cv-06221 SC_EVERSPLIT0018994 The Honorable Sean Duffy February 28, 2025 Page 2 2. Ensure Timely Completion of the Study -- Confirm the study awarded to the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute is completed within the designated timeframe to ensure its findings inform regulatory decisions. 3. Promote Transparency and Accountability -- Ensure NHTSA operates within its statutory obligations, provides clear communication, and works with Congress to address ongoing concerns. I believe addressing this issue is critical to enhancing road safety, supporting American innovation, and ensuring fair regulatory practices. I appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to your leadership in resolving it. Please know that I am ready to work with you to advance these shared goals and protect an industry committed to improving road safety. Please let me know if you have any questions. Sincerely, Daniel Webster Member of Congress Sierra Club v. Dept. of Transp. - 3:25-cv-06221 SC_EVERSPLIT0018995