Washington, D.C. — At the April 24 meeting of the Advisory Committee on Underride Protection, members challenged the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) 2023 cost‑benefit analysis that underpins a potential mandate for side underride guards on semitrailers.
The committee’s scrutiny comes after NHTSA released an advance notice of proposed rulemaking that estimated a side guard requirement would save 17.2 lives and prevent 69 injuries each year, but would cost up to $1.2 billion annually. The agency calculated a cost of $73.5 to $103.7 million per life saved, a figure that many experts say understates the financial and safety impacts of underride crashes.
Eric Hein, whose son Riley was killed in a 2015 truck crash, called the analysis “flawed,” arguing that NHTSA had underestimated fatalities and miscalculated cost savings. Committee members Marianne Karth and Jennifer Tierney pointed out the notice omitted data on pedestrians and bicyclists killed in underride incidents. Tierney moved to have NHTSA withdraw the notice and conduct a new cost‑benefit study; the motion passed 7‑6‑3. Meanwhile, Aaron Kiefer, representing crash investigators, pushed for a mandate covering all new semitrailers and those built after 1998, a motion that received approval. Doug Smith, a truck driver representative, warned that retrofitting older trailers could cost more than the trailer’s value and that many units are used only for storage. Jeff Bennett, an engineer, questioned the guard’s effectiveness, noting that impact outside the guard’s center line renders it ineffective.
What This Means for Drivers
For CDL‑A holders and owner‑operators, the potential rule would require new semitrailers to come equipped with side guards, adding a compliance layer before a vehicle can be placed on the road. Drivers operating older trailers may face costly retrofits, especially if the guard installation exceeds the trailer’s market value. Fleet managers will need to budget for guard installation or replacement, and may have to reassess older equipment in light of the new safety standard.
Industry Reaction
The debate reflects a broader industry tension between safety advocacy and operational cost. While crash investigators support the mandate, some truckers and equipment owners fear the financial burden. The committee’s decision to move forward with a revised analysis and a follow‑up meeting on May 22 indicates the issue will remain on the docket, with a final recommendation report due later this year. A dissenting report will also be issued, giving minority members a week to respond.
Key Points
- Committee rejected NHTSA’s cost‑benefit numbers, citing underestimation of underride fatalities.
- Motion to withdraw NHTSA’s notice passed 7‑6‑3, prompting a new analysis.
- Side guard mandate would apply to all new semitrailers and those built after 1998.
- Retrofit costs for older trailers could exceed their resale value.
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