The U.S. Department of Transportation is accelerating its timeline on a proposed rule that would require vehicle-to-vehicle communications technology in all new vehicles, U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx announced.

In a DOT blog post, Foxx called vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) technology a “critical element of the connected automation that makes driverless cars as safe as possible.” As a result, he has directed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to tighten the deadline for the agency’s proposal to require V2V technology in new vehicles.

In August of last year, NHTSA announced plans to deliver a proposed V2V rule by 2016. 

Additionally, Foxx noted that the Department of Transportation is “committing to rapid testing that would ensure life-saving V2V transmissions aren’t obstructed by radio interference.” Such testing is key to speeding the introduction of V2V and vehicle-to-infrastructure systems.

Foxx also said he’s directed NHTSA to work to ensure that regulations encourage the deployment of innovations that improve traffic safety.

“Every successful innovation means potential lives saved,” Foxx said. “So every delay is meaningful. We are in a race against time, and it is critical that technologies like V2V make it onto our roadways as soon as possible.”