U.S. regulators will propose rules before President Barack Obama leaves office requiring vehicle-to-vehicle communications systems in new cars, according a recent Bloomberg article, which may aid safety more than seat belts and air bags.

"Vehicle-to-vehicle technology represents the next generation of auto safety improvements," Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said at a news conference today. "The potential of this technology is enormous."

The technology would let cars automatically exchange safety data such as speed and position 10 times per second and send warnings to drivers if an imminent collision is sensed, the Transportation Department said in a statement today. The systems being envisioned won't be able to operate brakes or steering, though such technologies are being studied.