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FMCSA’s Barrs: Innovation Done Right Can Save Lives
Administrator Pledges to Remove Barriers to Autonomous Trucks, Other Emerging Tech in Remarks at CES 2026
Key Takeaways:
- FMCSA Administrator Derek Barrs noted that about 1 in 8 fatal crashes involve large commercial vehicles.
- Barrs has more than three decades in law enforcement, including chief of the Florida Highway Patrol.
- The pace of autonomous innovation will depend on consumer confidence.
LAS VEGAS — The new leader of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration touted the lifesaving potential of emerging technologies in the transportation industry and said the agency will work to eliminate unnecessary barriers to innovation.
FMCSA Administrator Derek Barrs, whose appointment was confirmed by the Senate in October, outlined those priorities during remarks at the Autonomous Vehicle Policy Forum at CES 2026, one of the world’s premier showcases for automotive technology.
The Jan. 6 forum was hosted by the Consumer Technology Association, which organizes CES, and Partners for Automated Vehicle Education.
“Autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, sensors, connectivity and computing power are no longer hypotheticals. They are converging to reshape how goods are moved across the country,” Barrs said to an audience of technology developers and other industry stakeholders.
This week, FMCSA Administrator Derek D. Barrs joined @USDOTFHWA and @NHTSAgov leaders at #CES to highlight how @USDOT’s Innovation Agenda is advancing technologies that improve safety on America’s roads.
“Innovation, done right, is how we save lives.”#Innovation #RoadwaySafety pic.twitter.com/hDwhXTH7Qo — FMCSA (@FMCSA) January 7, 2026
He emphasized that trucking sits at the center of the American economy, moving more than 70% of all domestic freight, but also noted that about 1 in 8 fatal crashes involve large commercial vehicles.
“Those numbers are really too high,” Barrs said. “We all know that, and we need to keep working to reduce those numbers.”
Innovation, done right, can help save lives, he said.
Three Decades in Law Enforcement
Barrs, a former chief of the Florida Highway Patrol with more than three decades in law enforcement, highlighted Transportation Secretary Duffy’s plan to promote innovation in the transportation sector.
“He’s made it clear that the United States intends to lead the world in automated vehicle development and deployment,” Barrs said.
Winning that global race is not only a matter of speed, but also safe deployment, he added. “It’s about empowering innovation while protecting the traveling public.”
One focal point of the Department of Transportation’s new Automated Vehicle Framework is removing unnecessary regulatory obstacles to responsible technology deployment.
'We Need to Get Out of the Way'
“For too long we have stood in the way,” Barrs said. “We need to get out of the way and to allow this to move forward.”
As an example, Barrs referenced a current regulation that requires truck drivers to place reflective warning triangles behind their vehicles when stopped or broken down on the side of a highway to alert other motorists.
That requirement has been problematic for autonomous truck developers such as Aurora that have been working to deploy unmanned vehicles without anyone onboard to place those triangles.
In October, FMCSA issued a limited waiver to Aurora to use flashing lights mounted on the cab as an alternative, along with data reporting requirements.
That approach cleared the way for deployment while preserving safety, Barrs said, adding that the agency is now gaining real-world data that could help inform future rulemakings on the warning triangles issue.
“I think that’s the modern way that we need to do things,” he said. “FMCSA is not here to slow down progress. We are here to set guardrails that allow innovation that can be done safely.”
Taking a National Approach
Barrs also underscored DOT’s pursuit of a coordinated, national approach to automated trucking.
“We know that a patchwork of 50 state laws will not work,” he said. “Trucks don’t stop at state lines.”
While innovation holds the potential to improve road safety, freight efficiency and supply chain resiliency, success will depend on consumer confidence.
“Technology alone will not unlock this promise,” Barrs said. “Public trust is extremely important.”
That trust must be earned through transparency and accountability, he added.
“At FMCSA, safety will always be our North Star, and innovation is the engine that helps us get to that point,” Barrs said. “CES shows us what possibilities there are ahead, and FMCSA is here to work with you in that endeavor.”
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