Motor Vehicle Safety Act Of 2010 - Giving The NHTSA Teeth

Congress is considering the first major change in U.S. car safety regulations with Motor Vehicle Safety Act in a decade. This bill is at the moment on the docket to start subcommittee hearings next Thursday. This legislation is being circulated and supported by California democrat Henry A. Waxman.

Motor Vehicle Safety Act gives NHTSA more budget

Because of the questions about the effectiveness of the NHTSA, the Motor Vehicle Safety Act is constructed in a way that will increase the spending budget available to the agency. A “vehicle safety user fee” of $ 3 per vehicle would be added to autos sold – and that cash would go directly to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s budget. The NHTSA would also have the cap on statutory damages removed, increasing how much it can fine vehicle makers. The fines that 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.

Aiming to improve safety with the MVSA

New safety features on each and every new car would also be required by the Motor Vehicle Safety Act. All vehicles sold in the United States would be required to have an on-board “black box” information recorder. The recorder would provide mechanical and electronic event records for the vehicle. Though they’re depending on airline black boxes, these automobile data recorders are a lot more lightweight, and do not include things like voice recorders. The Motor Vehicle Safety Act would also require a new brake override system, which would provide a mechanical way to stop the car even if the throttle is stuck open.

Responses to the MVSA of 2010

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 Alliance spokeswoman suggested the Congress “focus on the few measures that would produce probably the most substantial safety benefit in the shortest time”. Per vehicle, these new regulations are estimated to cost $20 to $40 per vehicle.

Resources

New York Times

Washington Post