The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is seeking public comment on an application from Intelligent Motorist Alert Messaging Systems (IMAMS) requesting a five-year exemption from federal requirements governing emergency warning devices for stopped commercial motor vehicles.
The notice, published in the Federal Register on December 1, 2025, covers IMAMS’ request for an exemption from portions of 49 CFR 392.22(b) and related regulations that require the placement of physical warning devices, such as reflective triangles, around a disabled CMV. IMAMS proposes using a rear-mounted digital LED messaging system in place of those devices, including on autonomous commercial vehicles.
ATA Urges Caution, More Data
The American Trucking Associations (ATA) did not fully oppose the exemption but raised concerns and urged FMCSA to require additional data and clarification before making a decision.
ATA said IMAMS’ proposed messaging system may create confusion due to scrolling text, mixed colors, and message timing, and noted the application lacks real-world performance data. ATA also expressed concern about the use of advertising on a safety-critical device, questioning whether commercial messaging could distract drivers or undermine emergency warnings.
Additional issues raised included system reliability during power loss and potential conflicts with other federal lighting regulations. ATA recommended that FMCSA not grant the exemption until these issues are addressed and subjected to further public review.
Safety Advocates Oppose Exemption
Several safety advocacy organizations have filed comments opposing the exemption, arguing that IMAMS has failed to demonstrate that its proposed system would provide an equivalent or greater level of safety compared to existing requirements.
Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety stated that the emergency warning device rules represent “minimum safety standards” and said granting the exemption would reduce required safety protections without adequate justification. The group argued that IMAMS did not provide a safety impact analysis or evidence showing its LED system would provide equivalent warning distance or effectiveness compared to traditional warning devices placed hundreds of feet from a stopped vehicle.
The group also noted that existing regulations already allow additional warning devices to be used alongside required equipment, meaning IMAMS could deploy its system without replacing current devices.
The Center for Auto Safety (CAS) also opposed the application, stating that IMAMS provided no data, testing, or studies to validate claims that its system would ensure equivalent or greater safety. CAS raised concerns about the system’s reliance on GPS and connectivity, potential distraction from commercial advertising displayed on the signs, and the lack of evidence showing the system would function effectively in all roadway environments.
Truck Safety Groups Cite Broader Concerns
A coalition including the Truck Safety Coalition, Citizens for Reliable and Safe Highways, and Parents Against Tired Truckers filed joint comments urging FMCSA to deny the exemption in full. The coalition argued that IMAMS’ request is overly broad because the company is a technology provider rather than a motor carrier, making it difficult for FMCSA to assess the scope and safety impact of the exemption.
The group also criticized the application for lacking testing or third-party validation and raised concerns about the use of written LED messages, particularly given ongoing enforcement challenges related to English language proficiency among commercial drivers. The coalition further warned that approving the exemption could effectively allow driverless trucks to operate without established federal performance standards.
FMCSA Review Underway
FMCSA will review the application and public comments to determine whether granting the exemption would be likely to achieve a level of safety equivalent to or greater than compliance with existing regulations. The agency has not yet indicated when it expects to issue a decision.
