As Congress debates the reauthorization of the surface transportation bill, which expires on September 30, 2026, a new public opinion poll commissioned by Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates) shows Americans want stronger AV requirements, proven crash prevention technology and better truck safety rules. Even with a decline in roadway deaths in 2024, motor vehicle crashes continue to exact a devastating toll on individuals, families and communities. According to finalized data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 39,254 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes in the United States last year and an estimated 2.42 million were injured. WASHINGTON, April 9, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- As Congress debates the reauthorization of the surface transportation bill, which expires on September 30, 2026, a new public opinion poll commissioned by Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates) shows Americans want stronger AV requirements, proven crash prevention technology and better truck safety rules. Even with a decline in roadway deaths in 2024, motor vehicle crashes continue to exact a devastating toll on individuals, families and communities. According to finalized data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 39,254 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes in the United States last year and an estimated 2.42 million were injured. "Americans are calling for commonsense safety protections that address the risks they face on our roads every day," said Cathy Chase, president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates). "That means minimum federal safety standards for AVs, stronger requirements for automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems to protect pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists, state laws to stop dangerous repeat speeding and reckless driving offenders and better safeguards for sharing the road with large trucks. Leaders at all levels of government should treat these poll results as a clear mandate to act." Autonomous Vehicles