Motor Vehicle Safety Act Of 2010 - Giving The NHTSA Teeth

For the first time in a decade, Congress will be considering legislation that will make major changes in automobile safety – the Motor Vehicle Safety Act 2010. Next Thursday, this act will start being heard in subcommittees. California Democrat Henry A. Waxman introduced this legislation.

Legislation would increase the NHTSA 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 budget accessible to the agency. A “vehicle safety user fee” of $ 3 per automobile would be added to cars 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. There have been many frustrated arguments that the fine the NHTSA could levy on Toyota was simply too small. Finally, the NHTSA would have the ability to require urgent recalls if they identify safety concerns in a car.

Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 2010 would improve safety

New safety features on each new vehicle would also be required by the Motor Vehicle Safety Act. A black box would be required on all vehicles sold within the United States. All electronic and mechanical events in the automobile would be recorded by this black box. Though they are depending on airline black boxes, these automobile data recorders are more lightweight, and don’t include things like voice recorders. Each car would also have to have a braking system that could over ride a stuck-open throttle.

Responses to the MVSA of 2010

Despite wide support in Congress, the Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 2010 is not loved by all. ”Concerned about the sheer number of new regulations” is the response of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers – a group of U.S., European, and Japanese vehicle makers. The Alliance spokeswoman suggested the Congress “focus on the few measures that would produce one of the most substantial safety benefit in the shortest time”. These new regulations are estimated to cost most vehicle manufacturers about twenty to forty dollars per vehicle.

Sources for the article

New York Times

Washington Post