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Congress·Reported

Congress Proposes New Rules Requiring Female Crash Test Dummies to Improve Vehicle Safety

She DRIVES Act

7 months ago·View on Congress.gov

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
Senate
House
President

Key Points

  • This bill requires the Department of Transportation to update vehicle safety tests to include crash test dummies that represent the average female body. Currently, many safety ratings rely mostly on male-sized dummies, which can lead to higher injury risks for women in real-world accidents.
  • The new rules would mandate the use of advanced testing devices for both frontal and side-impact crashes. These devices are designed to better mimic how human bodies react during a collision, specifically tracking injuries to the head, neck, chest, and legs.
  • The Department of Transportation must update the New Car Assessment Program, which is the system that gives cars their 'star ratings' for safety. This ensures that the safety scores consumers see when buying a car reflect how well the vehicle protects both men and women.
  • The policy sets strict deadlines for these changes, requiring final rules for frontal crash tests within about six months of the bill becoming law. Side-impact testing rules would need to be finalized within two and a half years.
  • The government would also be required to study safety testing in other countries to see if more advanced technology should be adopted in the United States to keep up with global safety standards.
Infrastructure TransportationCivil Rights

Impact Analysis

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

4 milestones5 actions
Jul 31, 2025Senate

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 141.

Jul 31, 2025Senate

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-56.

Feb 5, 2025Senate

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

Jan 21, 2025Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Jan 21, 2025

Introduced in Senate

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

About 6 months after the bill becomes law

New frontal impact crash test rules using female-sized dummies take effect

Car manufacturers will need to meet updated safety standards that test how well vehicles protect women-sized occupants in head-on crashes. This will eventually lead to safer cars for women.

About 30 months after the bill becomes law

New side impact crash test rules using female-sized dummies take effect

Vehicles will also need to pass side-impact crash tests using dummies that represent the average female body, further closing the safety gap between men and women in car crashes.

Concurrent with final rules, within approximately 6 to 30 months after enactment

New Car Assessment Program star ratings reflect female crash test results

The safety star ratings consumers see when shopping for cars will include how well vehicles protect female-sized occupants, giving buyers better information about real-world safety for everyone.

Related News

1 article
News Channel Nebraska·4 months ago

Sen. Fischer advocates for She Drives Act

Senator Deb Fischer called on Congress to pass the She DRIVES Act following the NHTSA's announcement of the THOR-05F dummy. The legislation seeks to modernize vehicle safety tests by ensuring they account for all drivers, particularly women who face higher injury risks.

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Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

She DRIVES Act

Bill NumberS 161
Congress119th Congress
ChamberSenate
Latest ActionPlaced on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 141.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(13)
D: 7R: 6

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.