Improving Safety With The Motor Vehicle Safety Act Of 2010

For the first time in a decade, Congress can be considering legislation that will make major changes in car safety – the Motor Vehicle Safety Act 2010. This bill is at the moment on the docket to start subcommittee hearings next Thursday. California Democrat Henry A. Waxman introduced this legislation.

NHTSA budget upped by legislation

The budget accessible to the NHTSA will be increased by this bill, in part because of the questions about the effectiveness of the NHTSA current congressional hearings have raised. A “vehicle safety user fee” of $ 3 per automobile would be added to vehicles sold – and that money 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 auto makers. The fines the NHTSA could levy on individual carmakers are considered simply too low to make a lasting impact. Finally, the NHTSA would have the ability to require immediate recalls if they identify safety concerns in a automobile.

Aiming to improve safety with the MVSA

The Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 2010 would also implement several new safety features on cars. All autos sold within the United States would be required to have an on-board “black box” info recorder. 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 more lightweight, and do not consist of things like voice recorders. Each vehicle would also have to have a braking system that could over ride a stuck-open throttle.

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”. ”Focus on the few measures that would produce the most substantial safety benefit within the shortest time” was the suggestion of the Alliance spokeswoman. These new regulations are estimated to cost most vehicle manufacturers about twenty to forty dollars per vehicle.

Article Resources

New York Times

Washington Post