Washington D.C. – U.S. Senators Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), and several of their Senate colleagues have introduced the She Develops Regulations In Vehicle Equality and Safety (She DRIVES) Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at modernizing vehicle safety tests by requiring the use of the most advanced testing devices available, including a female crash test dummy.
The legislation seeks to address discrepancies in crash safety testing that have historically relied on male-centric crash test dummies. Advocates of the bill argue that updating these standards will lead to improved safety for all drivers and passengers.
“It is past time for crash testing to reflect the full range of drivers and passengers on the road. By updating standards to include female crash test dummies, we can make cars safer for everyone and better protect our loved ones,” said Senator Britt. “I’m proud to join my colleagues on this commonsense legislation that will truly save lives.”
According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), studies have shown that women are more likely to be seriously injured or killed in vehicle crashes compared to men. The agency reports that 1,300 women die annually in crashes who might have otherwise survived if female death and injury rates were comparable to those of males.
The She DRIVES Act would update crashworthiness testing procedures under NHTSA’s Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) to ensure a more accurate representation of all vehicle occupants, including females, the elderly, and other vulnerable groups. A Government Accountability Office (GAO) report has previously highlighted deficiencies in the crash testing program, noting that NHTSA has missed multiple deadlines for deploying updated testing dummies.
Senator Fischer emphasized the potential life-saving impact of the legislation. “Outdated crash testing standards make women 17 percent more likely to be killed in auto crashes than men, but that doesn’t have to be the case. By updating crash test dummy standards, our bill will save thousands of lives and prevent thousands more serious injuries each year,” she stated.
The bill recently passed unanimously out of the Senate Commerce Committee and now awaits consideration by the full Senate. Senator Britt was also a cosponsor of the She DRIVES Act during the 118th Congress.
If enacted, supporters believe the legislation could significantly reduce injuries and fatalities, as well as mitigate economic costs associated with vehicle crashes.
