Blumenthal & Markey Introduce Legislation to Prevent Frontover Child Deaths

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Edward J. Markey (D-MA) introduced legislation to prevent child deaths due to frontover incidents. The Standards to Prevent (STOP) Frontovers Act would require all new vehicles to come equipped with cameras, sensors, or other technology to improve drivers' visibility and perception of kids, pets, and other objects that may be in front of and around their vehicle and avert crashes.

"Our measure requires visibility standards for cars to help prevent tragic, deadly accidents," said Blumenthal. "Investigations have shown repeatedly that the massive front blind zones on modern SUVs and trucks can extend up to 16 feet, completely obscuring a small child from a driver's view. By requiring standard detection technology, clearly defining frontovers, and forcing accountability, we can finally close this deadly loophole and save children's lives. Safety cannot be treated as a luxury limited to people who can afford it."

"Bigger, taller cars pose serious safety threats, especially to children and pedestrians," said Markey. "Automakers have designed today's cars to be bigger and taller than ever, without making the needed safety improvements to protect children and other road users. I am proud to partner with Senator Blumenthal on the STOP Frontovers Act which will hold automakers accountable and save precious lives."

The STOP Frontovers Act would require the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to issue a new Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) that requires vehicles to be equipped with technology that enables drivers to detect and accordingly respond to objects in front of and around their vehicle to reduce death and injury resulting from frontovers.

The measure directs NHTSA to begin the rulemaking process for the standard within one year and issue a final FMVSS one year later. It also requires NHTSA to formally define the term "frontover" to standardize its definition and allow for more accurate data collection. In addition, the bill directs NHTSA to update its Non-Traffic Surveillance data to more accurately count frontover injuries and deaths to provide critical and more accurate information to the Agency and the public about the prevalence of frontovers.

While Congress mandated in 2008 that NHTSA issue a rule to establish rear visibility standards in response to countless backover accidents, no such front or side visibility standards currently exist. Such visibility technology, such as cameras and sensors, is offered by some manufacturers, but usually only on expensive, upgraded models or for an additional fee.

The STOP Frontovers Act has been endorsed by auto and consumer safety organizations, including Kids and Car Safety, the Center for Auto Safety, Safe Kids Worldwide, Consumer Reports, and Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety.

"Ever-larger vehicles come with the drawback of larger driver blind zones that heighten the risk of crashes even at low speeds, particularly impacting children. Modern cars can and should be using available technological countermeasures to resolve this growing problem," said Michael Brooks, Executive Director of Center for Auto Safety. "That's why the Center for Auto Safety strongly supports Senator Blumenthal's STOP Frontovers Act, which mandates solutions that can end these preventable tragedies, and improves data collection on frontovers and other non-traffic crashes."

"As vehicles in the U.S. have become larger, the unintended consequence of expanded blind zones has imperiled children and other vulnerable road users like pedestrians and bicyclists," said Cathy Chase, President, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety. "Preventable deaths and injuries have resulted, including at low speeds, causing urgent need for enactment the STOP Frontovers Act of 2026. We thank Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) for introducing legislation to end these horrific traffic incidents and urge Congress to advance it without delay."

"Every frontover death is a devastating reminder that children can disappear from a driver's view in seconds, even when a loving parent or caregiver is behind the wheel. These tragedies are predictable, preventable, and unacceptable," said Amber Rollins, Executive Director, Kids and Car Safety. "The STOP Frontovers Act of 2026 recognizes that vehicles must be designed to protect the most vulnerable among us-especially young children who are often impossible to see from the driver's seat. Kids and Car Safety applauds Senator Blumenthal for introducing this life-saving legislation and for recognizing that technology should help prevent these incidents before they occur. No family should lose a child because of a blind zone that can be eliminated through better vehicle design and safety standards."

"Frontovers can be extremely dangerous to small children, especially when it comes to larger and heavier vehicles," said Torine Creppy, President, Safe Kids Worldwide. "The good news is that many of these tragedies can be prevented by leveraging existing technology and improving safety standards. We're excited to support the STOP Frontovers Act and applaud Senator Blumenthal for leading the charge on this important legislation."

The text of the STOP Frontovers Act is available here.

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