After a year of a variety of serious vehicle recalls, the 2010 Motor Vehicle Safety Act hopes to protect consumers by making manufacturers more accountable for the vehicles they produce. Auto manufacturers, however, say that the regulations and fees, will only add to the cost of new vehicles. Below is a brief summary of the act.
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) hopes to create an Center for Vehicle Electronics and Emerging Technologies, in order to strengthen the agency’s expertise in new vehicle technologies.
- New brake override and vehicle stopping distance standards will be created.
- There will be minimum standards for pedal clearances and placement.
- Minimum performance standards for electronic systems in passenger vehicles will be created.
- Create new standards that requires that passenger vehicles with key-less ignitions systems have consistent means to allow for drivers to stop or slow a vehicle during an emergency.
- Create new standard for intuitive configuration and labeling of gear shift controls that ensures the neutral position is conspicuous to drivers who may need to use it in an emergency.
- Make a rule that requires all vehicles be equipped with an event data recorder that meets the requirements of the standard issued by NHTSA.
- Increases the civil penalty NHTSA can seek per violation and eliminates the maximum civil penalty allowed.
- Provide NHTSA with the authority to order an immediate recall if it finds an “imminent hazard of death or serious injury”.
- Increase the transparency and accountability of manufacturers through data sharing and reporting.
- Establishes a vehicle safety user fee paid by the vehicle manufacturer for each vehicle certified to meet the federal motor vehicle safety standards for sale in the United States. This fee begins at $3 per vehicle and increases to $9 per vehicle after three years. The fee would supplement existing appropriations and support NHTSA’s vehicle safety programs.
