New rule allows windshield-mounted safety devices

As required by Section 5301 of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has issued a rule to allow the voluntary mounting of vehicle safety devices on the interior of the windshields of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs), including placement within the area that is swept by the windshield wipers. The rule also implements the FAST Act requirement that all windshield-mounted devices and technologies that were allowed by exemption as of December 4, 2015, be authorized under FMCSA regulations.

The rule defines “vehicle safety technology” as including a fleet-related incident management system, performance or behavior management system, speed management system, lane departure warning system, forward collision warning or mitigation system, active cruise control system, and transponder. For more information, go to https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2016-22923.