American Association for Justice Calls for Increased Auto Safety Legislation

According to the American Association for Justice, The US Congress should increase accountability for safety violations. AAJ also calls for the improvement in disclosing “early warning” dataand brake-override systems in all new motor vehicles.

The US Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee is having a hearing on safety laws for automobiles.

According to AAJ, this is resulting from the situation with the Toyota Sudden Acceleration problems. AAJ in its press release indicates Toyota “deliberately delayed alerting the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) about possible defects from their vehicles’ accelerator pedals and floor mats. NHTSA imposed a maximum $16.4 million fine over the sticking pedal defect – which could have been as much as $13.8 billion or $6,000 per car for the 2.3 million vehicles that were recalled – had the agency not been confined to a penalty cap.”

The AAJ’s Press Release is also asking the Legislature to do the following:

“Increase civil penalties. Currently, the limit on civil penalties is $16.4 million, not an adequate deterrent to report safety problems. “ AAJ is proposing there be “no maximum limit on fines to ensure manufacturers promptly disclose safety problems, or risk hefty penalties. News reports indicate Toyota often dragged its feet over safety recalls here in the U.S. For example, in October 2004 Toyota issued a recall of 330,000 vehicles in Japan to replace the steering relay rods. A recall was not issued until a year later in the U.S. for the same defect, leaving unsafe automobiles on the road while Toyota continued to profit.”

“Enhanced disclosure. Further public disclosure of “early warning” data that auto manufacturers submit to NHTSA quarterly will provide consumers with the ultimate weapon – the ability to know if there might be a problem with their vehicle or one they plan on purchasing.“

“Require “black box” event recording on vehicles. New vehicles should be equipped with recorders to detect crash information, such as the ones required on airplanes. Data recorders help investigators identify exactly what happened when an accident occurred and more easily assess malfunctions and safety hazards.
“Require a brake-override standard. This would stop any vehicle once normal braking pressure is applied, even when the throttle is open.”

For more information, and the full text of the Press Release, go to www.justice.org

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