Summary of the Stop Underrides Act 2.0 (S. 3775)

Overview

The Stop Underrides Act 2.0 is a bill introduced in the U.S. Senate on February 4, 2026. The main purpose of the bill is to reduce the number of preventable deaths and injuries caused by underride crashes, where passenger vehicles or vulnerable road users (such as motorcyclists) strike and slide under the side, rear, or front of commercial trucks and trailers.

Key Provisions

The bill would:

1. Define key terms related to underride protection, including "front underride guard", "rear underride guard", "side underride guard", and "comprehensive underride protection system".
2. Amend existing definitions in Title 49 of the U.S. Code to clarify terms like "passenger motor vehicle", "semitrailer", "single unit truck", and "vulnerable road user".
3. Require enhanced underride protection on commercial motor vehicles, including:
   • Front, rear, and side underride guards to prevent vehicles from sliding under the truck.
   • Comprehensive underride protection systems on all commercial trucks and trailers.
4. Improve safety for motor carriers, passenger vehicles, and vulnerable road users by reducing underride crash fatalities and serious injuries.

Affected Stakeholders

The key stakeholders impacted by this bill include:

• Commercial truck and trailer manufacturers, who would need to install enhanced underride protection systems.
• Commercial motor carriers, who would be required to operate vehicles with comprehensive underride protection.
• Passenger vehicle drivers and passengers, as well as vulnerable road users like pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists, who would benefit from improved safety and reduced underride crash risks.
• Safety advocates and families who have lost loved ones in preventable underride crashes.

Timeline and Procedure

The Stop Underrides Act 2.0 was introduced in the Senate on February 4, 2026 and has been referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. If enacted, the bill would take effect immediately upon signing into law.

Overall, the Stop Underrides Act 2.0 aims to enhance commercial vehicle safety and prevent tragic underride crashes that have claimed thousands of lives over the past 50 years. By requiring comprehensive underride protection systems, the bill seeks to improve safety for all road users.