Today the senate revealed a new bill that would substantially overhaul the automotive safety standards and regulations in the U.S. Among the changes would be the removal of the limit on fines levied against automakers for intentionally misleading or failing to report safety problems, while also increasing the per-vehicle fine from $5,000 to $25,000.
Bloomberg is reporting that a new U.S. auto safety bill submitted by Senator John D. Rockefeller, chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, would aim to dramatically tighten regulations regarding vehicle safety, while also limiting the migration of workers between NHTSA and automakers.
The Senate bill shares many things in common with the recently introduced bill in the House, but goes further to increase fines and penalties for automakers who fail to comply. The bill would also require event data recorders in all future vehicles, being required to hold at least one minute of information.
NHTSA to receive substantial overhaul
A major portion of the bill is dedicated to sweeping reform regarding NHTSA, including adding a substantial amount of regulatory power to the safety agency. The bill would give NHTSA the ability to establish more stringent safety standards such as establishing minimum stopping distance requirements, addressing brake override technology, dictating accelerator and brake pedal placement and establishing a set of standards for push-button ignitions.
“Recent Toyota recalls showed an urgent need to update safety standards to reflect modern vehicle technology and give auto safety regulators the stronger tools and resources they need to protect the public,” said Rockefeller. “We can do better by the American people – and we will with this bill.”
More accountability through additional liability
Another issue the bill addresses is that of adding accountability for automakers, namely in the form of forcing chief auto executives to verify the accuracy of information being submitted to NHTSA, says Detroit News. The bill calls for up to $250 million in penalties should the information be found to be false, significantly increasing the current limit of just $16.375 million.
Not all regulation is aimed solely at automakers
In addition to a substantial amount of increased power for NHTSA to regulate automakers, the bill would also aim to put an end to the “cozy” relationship between former NHTSA safety regulators and automakers who have a tendency to hire them. The bill would limit ex-auto safety workers from taking certain jobs related to lobbying for three years after leaving the agency.
Bill fails to address funding
Although the bill does call for a doubling of the budget for NHTSA, according to Detroit News, the bill does not include language regarding the proposed $9-per-new-vehicle fee in order to fund the increase. As the bill currently stands, funds would have to be reallocated from traditional federal tax revenue.
References
1. ‘U.S. auto safety fines would…’ view
2. ‘Senate introduces auto safety…’ view
