Feds OK Casey's Trucks with Flashy Pulsing Brake Lights for Safety
Published Date: 4/16/2025
Notice
Summary
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has given Casey's Services Company the green light to use a cool new Intellistop lighting module on their commercial trucks. This module makes brake lights pulse quickly to grab attention and then stay steady, boosting safety on the road. The exemption starts April 16, 2025, and lasts five years, helping Casey keep their fleet safe without extra costs.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Who may install and fleet limits
Under the exemption the Intellistop product must be installed only by the vehicle owner (the applicant) and may not be installed by any manufacturer, distributor, dealer, rental company, or motor vehicle repair business. Casey may install the module on no more than 25% of its power units and 25% of its trailers in the first year, and no more than 50% of its power units and 50% of its trailers in the second year; the applicant must provide VINs for equipped vehicles.
Ongoing monitoring and reporting requirements
Casey must perform driver pre-trip inspections to confirm the module pulses only for the 2-second window and must not dispatch vehicles if lamps remain non-steady after 2 seconds. Casey must submit quarterly data to FMCSA (first submission due July 16, 2025, covering 60 days before installation) about crashes/incidents potentially implicating the module, provide annual reports within 60 days after each 12-month period, notify FMCSA within 5 business days of any safety concerns, and remove the module before transferring vehicle ownership.
Limited approval to use pulsing brake lights
FMCSA granted Casey's Services Company an exemption allowing its commercial trucks to use an Intellistop module that pulses required rear clearance, identification, and brake lamps 4 times in 2 seconds when brakes are applied and then returns them to steady illumination. The exemption applies only to Casey's fleet (Casey operates approximately 526 CMVs) and is effective April 16, 2025 through April 16, 2030. FMCSA determined the exemption will likely achieve a level of safety equivalent to or greater than the current steady-burning requirement.
Federal preemption for interstate operations
During the exemption period (April 16, 2025 through April 16, 2030), under 49 U.S.C. 31315(d) and 49 CFR 381.600 no State may enforce any law or regulation applicable to interstate commerce that conflicts with or is inconsistent with this exemption. States may adopt the same exemption for intrastate operations, but are not required to do so.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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Coffeyville Resources Crude Transportation got the green light to use a cool new brake light module from Intellistop that flashes their truck’s rear lights quickly when braking, making their vehicles safer on the road. This special permission starts April 16, 2025, and lasts five years, helping Coffeyville keep their trucks up to date without extra costs. Drivers and everyone on the road win with clearer brake signals and safer rides!
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