House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, large truck side impacts accounted for 18 percent of fatal two-vehicle collisions between large trucks and other vehicles during 2016. One of the main reasons why collisions with the sides of tractor-trailers are hazardous is because side underride might occur. Side underride occurs when passenger vehicle bumpers are not at the same height and do not engage the substantial side structure of tractor trailers.

The National Transportation Safety Board has recommended as recently as 2014 that the NHTSA require side underride protection systems be equipped on newly manufactured trailers with gross vehicle weight ratings over 10,000 pounds and newly manufactured truck-tractors with gross vehicle weight ratings over 26,000 pounds. My legislation would simply codify the NTSB recommendation into law.

Side underride protection systems are already mandatory on trucks operating in countries such as the European Union, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Japan and China. Domestically, cities such as Boston and New York have begun equipping city-owned vehicles with side underride protection systems. I ask that you join me in reducing the number of deaths and serious injuries resulting from side underride collisions by co-sponsoring this legislation. Thank you in advance for your consideration.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact my Harrisburg office at 717-705-1925.