For the very first time in 10 years, Congress is taking up the issue of automobile safety with the Motor Vehicle Safety Act. This bill is presently on the docket to start subcommittee hearings next Thursday. California Democrat Henry A. Waxman introduced this legislation.
Motor Vehicle Safety Act gives NHTSA a lot more spending budget
Given questions about the effectiveness of the NHTSA raised during recent congressional hearings, the Motor Vehicle Safety Act looks to strengthen the regulatory agency. A “vehicle safety user fee” of $ 3 per vehicle would be added to automobiles sold – and that cash would go directly to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s spending budget. In order to be able to make an impact on huge manufacturers, the NHTSA would also be able to levy fines without caps. The fines the NHTSA could levy on individual carmakers are considered simply too low to make a lasting impact. Finally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration would be given the legal authority to initiate a recall if they identify a safety issue.
Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 2010 would improve safety
The Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 2010 would also implement several new safety features on cars. All cars sold in the United States would be required, under the MVSA, to have a “black box”. All electronic and mechanical events within the car would be recorded by this black box. Though they’re depending on airline black boxes, these car data recorders are a lot more lightweight, and do not consist of things like voice recorders. A new brake override system that could stop the automobile, besides a throttle stuck open, would also be required.
How the industry is responding the MVSA
The Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 2010 is not loved by all, despite the support in Congress. A representative organization of automobile manufacturers – The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers – said that they were “concerned about the sheer number of new regulations”. The spokeswoman for the Alliance has suggested instead that legislators “focus on the few measures that would produce one of the most substantial safety benefit within the shortest time”. These new regulations are estimated to cost most vehicle manufacturers about twenty to forty dollars per vehicle.
Resources for the article
New York Times
Washington Post
No comments:
Post a Comment