119th (2025–2027)
S. 4936
The STOP Frontovers Act of 2026 directs the Secretary of Transportation to create new federal safety standards for motor vehicles to prevent "frontovers" and "backovers"—low-speed incidents where vehicles strike pedestrians, children, cyclists, wheelchair users, pets, and other vulnerable people in areas the driver cannot see. The bill requires that vehicles be equipped with detection systems that can identify objects in blind zones, driver notification systems with auditory and visual alerts, and active intervention systems that can automatically prevent or reduce the severity of these collisions. The Secretary must initiate the rulemaking within one year of enactment and finalize the safety standard within two years, with full manufacturer compliance required within two years of the final rule's approval. The bill allows for a phased implementation period based on vehicle type and injury frequency data, and it requires the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to begin tracking frontover and backover incidents in its surveillance system within 30 days. If delays occur in promulgating the final standard, the Secretary must report to Congress every 90 days explaining the reasons and steps being taken to meet the deadline.