Fischer, Colleagues Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Prevent Deaths from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Press Release

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), along with Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.), all members of the Senate Commerce Committee, today reintroduced legislation to address the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning associated with keyless ignition technology in vehicles. The bipartisan Stop CO Poisoning Exposures (SCOPE) Act requires the Secretary of the Department of Transportation (DOT) to finalize a rule that cars automatically shut off after a period of time to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

"Americans with keyless ignition vehicles can accidentally leave their car running, resulting in carbon monoxide poisoning. Two years ago, the community of Bellevue, Nebraska, experienced the loss of Thomas and Ann MacKinnon when this happened to them. In response, I have worked with the MacKinnons' daughter, Sharon Shore, on this important legislation. It will ensure these vehicles automatically shut off after a period of time to prevent these tragedies from occurring in the future,"said Senator Fischer.

"Senator Deb Fischer's ongoing support and dedication to introducing a Bill that will save lives is greatly appreciated. My parents would be honored that these efforts can prevent other tragedies to families, not just in Nebraska but across our country. Bringing awareness to this danger is saving lives," said Sharon Shore.

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Keyless ignitions are now standard in over half of the 17 million new vehicles sold in the United States. Because keyless ignitions do not require a key to shut off the vehicle's engine, drivers can return home without realizing that their car is still running, potentially filling up an attached garage with deadly CO poisoning. A 2018 New York Times investigation found at least 28 deaths and 45 injuries since 2006 tied to carbon monoxide poisoning caused by vehicles with keyless ignitions inadvertently left idling.

The SCOPE Act would help prevent these tragic deaths by requiring the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to complete a rulemaking to require vehicles with keyless ignitions to automatically shut off after a certain period of time, preventing the car from continuing to emit toxic CO. Because different vehicles emit CO at different rates, this bill would authorize NHTSA to establish different periods after which a vehicle would have to shut off.

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