The U.S. government has decided to push back new safety rules for cars after car makers raised concerns. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced on Friday that updates to its New Car Assessment Program, originally set to take effect this month for the 2026 model year, will now start in the 2027 model year.
The updated rules include adding features like blind spot warning, blind spot intervention, lane-keeping assist, and pedestrian automatic emergency braking. The agency also planned to update requirements for automatic emergency braking. These changes aim to improve vehicle safety and reduce crashes involving pedestrians.
However, automakers representing almost all major car companies asked the agency to delay the new rules. They argued that NHTSA had not yet released clear test procedures for evaluating how well cars protect pedestrians in crashes. Without those procedures, car makers say it’s hard to meet the new standards.
This delay means cars made in 2026 won’t be required to include these new safety features. Instead, the rules will apply starting in the 2027 model year. The decision highlights some of the challenges in setting safety standards that both regulators and manufacturers can agree on.
The updates were first announced in December, and this pause comes after the auto industry’s formal request in April. Safety advocates hope the extra time will ensure tests are thorough and fair, helping to keep future cars safer on the road.