This bill allows vehicles to use pulsating brake lights that flash rapidly up to four times for 1.2 seconds when brakes are applied before converting to a steady light. The Department of Transportation must update lighting standards to include performance requirements for these collision avoidance systems on passenger vehicles, trucks, buses, trailers, and motorcycles.
Latest Action
Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
This bill allows vehicles to use pulsating brake lights that flash rapidly up to four times for 1.2 seconds when brakes are applied before converting to a steady light. The Department of Transportation must update lighting standards to include performance requirements for these collision avoidance systems on passenger vehicles, trucks, buses, trailers, and motorcycles.
Last updated: 1/5/2026
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong>Collision Avoidance Systems Act of 2025</strong></p><p>This bill allows for the use of a pulsating light system for vehicle braking.</p><p>Specifically, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 108 (Standard 108) must be deemed to allow for the use of a pulsating light system on covered vehicles (i.e., passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, buses, trailers, and motorcycles). The Department of Transportation must issue regulations to update Standard 108 to (1) include performance-based standards for pulsating light systems, and (2) allow for the use of the systems on motor vehicles.</p><p>As background, Standard 108 regulates all automotive lighting, signaling, and reflective devices. Under the bill, a <em>pulsating light system</em> includes a system for a high-mounted stop lamp in which the lamp pulses rapidly no more than four times and for no more than 1.2 seconds when the brake of the vehicle is applied and then converts to a continuous light (as a normal stop lamp) until the brake is released.</p>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Permits pulsating brake light systems on motor vehicles
Requires DOT to update Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108
Applies to cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles, and trailers
Limits pulsing to four times over 1.2 seconds maximum
Light converts to steady glow until brake is released
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
Drivers behind a braking vehicle would see pulsating brake lights that better grab attention, potentially reducing rear-end collisions. Vehicle manufacturers could offer these enhanced safety systems, and aftermarket options could become available for existing vehicles.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Transportation and Public Works
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
1361, 119th Congress (2025). "Collision Avoidance Systems Act of 2025". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-1361
