Topic
Vehicle Safety
140 published works
Environmental and Energy Brief
A Rare Proposal: NHTSA Announces Negotiated Rulemakings to Update Longstanding Safety Standards
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently announced two negotiated rulemakings to update federal safety standards for vehicle headlights and tires. Negotiated rulemaking is a rarely used regulatory process…
P.I.S.S.D.
The Latest IIHS List of Vehicles With the Highest and Lowest Driver Death Rates
By Bob Kraft
Every few years, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety releases one of the most revealing looks available at how different vehicles actually perform in real-world crashes, rather than in a…
International Trade Insights
Federal Courts Issue Critical Rulings on Cargo Theft Claims Following Supreme Court Montgomery Decision
By Julie Maurer, Aaron Schepler, Alejandra Curiel-Molina
After the May 2026 Supreme Court ruling in Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II, LLC, one critical question remained unanswered: whether the safety exception extends to cargo theft and property loss…
Global Policy Watch
Federal Vehicle Safety at Midyear: Regulatory Relief, Legislative Momentum, and the Road to the Broader AV Deployment
By Sarah Wilson, Jennifer Johnson, Holly Fechner, Matthew Shapanka, John Mizerak, Molly Brown, Micah Telegen, Charlotte Krovoza, Ben Rolsma
Executive Summary 2026 has been a dynamic year so far for federal regulation of automotive safety. Federal regulators have demonstrated a sustained commitment to regulatory reform and innovation, while simultaneously…
Inside Global Tech
Federal Vehicle Safety at Midyear: Regulatory Relief, Legislative Momentum, and the Road to the Broader AV Deployment
By Sarah Wilson, Jennifer Johnson, Holly Fechner, Matthew Shapanka, John Mizerak, Micah Telegen, Molly Brown, Charlotte Krovoza, Ben Rolsma
Executive Summary 2026 has been a dynamic year so far for federal regulation of automotive safety. Federal regulators have demonstrated a sustained commitment to regulatory reform and innovation, while simultaneously…
The Velvet Hammer
Why cities should outlaw ancient mad max duck vehicles
Following the amphibious duck boats fiasco in Seattle 2016, our trial work was able to bankrupt the local Ride the Ducks company. We forced both it and the national manufacturing…
Regulatory Oversight
Eighth Circuit’s Pragmatic Approach to Final Agency Action Approves Challenges to NHTSA’s Informal Agency Letters: The Trend Permitting Pre-Enforcement Review Continues
By Jeff Johnson
On May 18, the Eighth Circuit held that NHTSA's informal letters determining that certain aftermarket products violate Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108 constitute final agency action reviewable under the…
P.I.S.S.D.
The Compounding Power of Modern Car Safety Systems
By Bob Kraft
When you shop for a new vehicle today, the sheer number of available safety features can feel overwhelming. Automakers offer a wide array of technological upgrades designed to protect drivers,…
P.I.S.S.D.
Choosing the Right Tires for Texas: Winter, Summer, and All-Season Options Compared
By Bob Kraft
Tire selection in Texas involves considerations that differ significantly from those in states with predictable four-season climates. The Lone Star State spans nearly 270,000 square miles and encompasses everything from…
P.I.S.S.D.
The Hidden Hazards of a Messy Car Interior
By Bob Kraft
Most drivers tolerate a certain amount of clutter in their vehicles. Coffee cups accumulate in cup holders, old receipts pile up in center consoles, shopping bags linger in backseats, and…