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 vehicle safety – the Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 2010. This act is scheduled for hearing by subcommittees next Thursday. 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 available to the agency. The NHTSA budget would get a boost in the form of a $ 3 per vehicle fee. In order to be able to make an impact on huge manufacturers, the NHTSA would also be able to levy fines without caps. Many legislators have worried that the capped fine is simply too low – and won’t hurt carmakers. Finally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration would be given the legal authority to initiate a recall if they identify a safety issue.
Improving safety with the Motor Vehicle Safety Act
The Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 2010 would also implement several new safety features on vehicles. All vehicles sold in the United States would be required to have an on-board “black box” information recorder. All electronic and mechanical events in the car would be recorded by this black box. Though they are based on airline black boxes, these vehicle data recorders are more lightweight, and do not include things like voice recorders. A new brake override system that could stop the car, even with 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. “Concerned about the sheer number of new regulations” is the response of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers where to buy cialis online – a group of U.S., European, and Japanese car makers. The spokeswoman for the Alliance has suggested instead that legislators “focus on the few measures that would produce 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.
Resources for the article
New York Times
Washington Post
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