The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has analyzed real-world crash data to determine if LED stop lamps and center high-mounted stop lamps are more beneficial than incandescent lamps at preventing rear-impact collisions. The data was inconclusive when considering other factors, such as vehicle redesign and a change to the rear-lighting configuration. The NHTSA will continue to review future crash data in case it provides more guidance on whether there is a measureable difference. 

View a copy of the report. For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

Legislation to disallow the use of year-of-manufacture license plates after July 1, 2013, has been introduced in Connecticut. Under the bill, the owner of an antique, rare or special-interest motor vehicle who was authorized before July 1, 2013, to display a year of manufacture plate could continue to display the plate until the registration period expires. However, upon renewal of registration, the owner would be required to display a current registration plate. The bill would totally outlaw use of all year-of-manufacture plates after June 30, 2015.

The SEMA-opposed measure will be considered by the Connecticut Joint Transportation Committee, Friday, March 8, 2013. For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

Legislation to disallow the use of year-of-manufacture license plates after July 1, 2013, has been introduced in Connecticut. Under the bill, the owner of an antique, rare or special-interest motor vehicle who was authorized before July 1, 2013, to display a year of manufacture plate could continue to display the plate until the registration period expires. However, upon renewal of registration, the owner would be required to display a current registration plate. The bill would totally outlaw use of all year-of-manufacture plates after June 30, 2015.

The SEMA-opposed measure will be considered by the Connecticut Joint Transportation Committee, Friday, March 8, 2013. For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

Legislation to disallow the use of year-of-manufacture license plates after July 1, 2013, has been introduced in Connecticut. Under the bill, the owner of an antique, rare or special-interest motor vehicle who was authorized before July 1, 2013, to display a year of manufacture plate could continue to display the plate until the registration period expires. However, upon renewal of registration, the owner would be required to display a current registration plate. The bill would totally outlaw use of all year-of-manufacture plates after June 30, 2015.

The SEMA-opposed measure will be considered by the Connecticut Joint Transportation Committee, Friday, March 8, 2013. For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

SEMA is supporting legislation to approve a regulation allowing off-road vehicles to operate on trails included in the Hatfield-McCoy Recreation Area. These trails are currently restricted to ATVs, dune buggy-type vehicles (referred to as "utility terrain vehicles" or "UTVs") and motorcycles. Having already been approved by the House Transportation Committee, the bill is currently pending in the Judiciary Committee. 

In West Virginia, "off-road vehicles" are defined as motor vehicles that do not have low-pressure tires and which are constructed, manufactured or modified for off-road driving. Off-road vehicles must also comply with exhaust noise provisions. 

SEMA is currently working with lawmakers to ensure that a proper and fair standard for testing the exhaust noise of off-road vehicles is applied. For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

SEMA is supporting legislation to approve a regulation allowing off-road vehicles to operate on trails included in the Hatfield-McCoy Recreation Area. These trails are currently restricted to ATVs, dune buggy-type vehicles (referred to as "utility terrain vehicles" or "UTVs") and motorcycles. Having already been approved by the House Transportation Committee, the bill is currently pending in the Judiciary Committee. 

In West Virginia, "off-road vehicles" are defined as motor vehicles that do not have low-pressure tires and which are constructed, manufactured or modified for off-road driving. Off-road vehicles must also comply with exhaust noise provisions. 

SEMA is currently working with lawmakers to ensure that a proper and fair standard for testing the exhaust noise of off-road vehicles is applied. For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

SEMA is supporting legislation to approve a regulation allowing off-road vehicles to operate on trails included in the Hatfield-McCoy Recreation Area. These trails are currently restricted to ATVs, dune buggy-type vehicles (referred to as "utility terrain vehicles" or "UTVs") and motorcycles. Having already been approved by the House Transportation Committee, the bill is currently pending in the Judiciary Committee. 

In West Virginia, "off-road vehicles" are defined as motor vehicles that do not have low-pressure tires and which are constructed, manufactured or modified for off-road driving. Off-road vehicles must also comply with exhaust noise provisions. 

SEMA is currently working with lawmakers to ensure that a proper and fair standard for testing the exhaust noise of off-road vehicles is applied. For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

SEMA-opposed legislation to impose a vehicle miles traveled (VMT) tax on state motorists has been introduced in Texas. Under the bill, the amount of the VMT tax would vary by vehicle type. Vehicles weighing 10,000 lbs. or less would be taxed at a rate of 1 cent per mile, vehicles weighing more than 10,000 lbs. at 1.25 cents per mile and electric vehicles at .75 cents per mile. The tax would be offset by a motor fuels tax credit, which would be determined using the vehicle’s VMT and fuel economy data, such that as fuel economy goes up, the credit decreases to ensure vehicles paying less in fuel taxes get a smaller credit and pay more in VMT. The actual VMT would be measured using an annual odometer inspection.  

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

SEMA-opposed legislation to impose a vehicle miles traveled (VMT) tax on state motorists has been introduced in Texas. Under the bill, the amount of the VMT tax would vary by vehicle type. Vehicles weighing 10,000 lbs. or less would be taxed at a rate of 1 cent per mile, vehicles weighing more than 10,000 lbs. at 1.25 cents per mile and electric vehicles at .75 cents per mile. The tax would be offset by a motor fuels tax credit, which would be determined using the vehicle’s VMT and fuel economy data, such that as fuel economy goes up, the credit decreases to ensure vehicles paying less in fuel taxes get a smaller credit and pay more in VMT. The actual VMT would be measured using an annual odometer inspection.  

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

SEMA-opposed legislation to impose a vehicle miles traveled (VMT) tax on state motorists has been introduced in Texas. Under the bill, the amount of the VMT tax would vary by vehicle type. Vehicles weighing 10,000 lbs. or less would be taxed at a rate of 1 cent per mile, vehicles weighing more than 10,000 lbs. at 1.25 cents per mile and electric vehicles at .75 cents per mile. The tax would be offset by a motor fuels tax credit, which would be determined using the vehicle’s VMT and fuel economy data, such that as fuel economy goes up, the credit decreases to ensure vehicles paying less in fuel taxes get a smaller credit and pay more in VMT. The actual VMT would be measured using an annual odometer inspection.  

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.