NHTSA To Propose Safety Guidelines For New and Emerging Technology
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is submitting a proposed enforcement guideline to address safety concerns relating to new and emerging technology, such as automated vehicles and crash avoidance technology. The NHTSA acknowledged that the increased use of electronic systems has increased complexity, but stated that vehicle manufacturers are nevertheless responsible for ensuring that vehicles do not pose an unreasonable risk to safety. For example, a cybersecurity vulnerability allowing remote access to critical safety systems could be considered a safety-related defect requiring a recall of the vehicle. The NHTSA also recommends that manufacturers adopt a “life-cycle approach” to safety risks for new technologies in order to meet their continuing obligations to ensure the safety of their vehicles.
The NHTSA will the public to comment on the proposed enforcement guidelines within 30 days of their publication, anticipated on Friday, April 1, 2016.
