House Bill on Auto Safety Regulations

In case the new legislation is approved all new motor vehicles will be required to have the so-called black boxes or event data recorders,as well as brake override systems.

As Henry J. Waxman, a Democrat of California stated in one of the interviews this will give the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration the ability to protect the public and to deal with concerns which are raised by Toyota and other manufacturers.

The legislation is titled the Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 2010 and is a big step in the federal motor vehicle safety regulation.

The bill will most likely to face opposition from car manufacturers,particularly over a provision that would remove the existing $16.4-million cap on civil penalties against automakers for violations of safety laws and increase the fine for each violation to $25,000 from the current $6,000.

The measure has several other provisions that might also draw claims from the auto industry. It would create a new tax of $9 per new vehicle after three years. That fee should be paid by the manufacturers.

It would create a number of requirements that are aimed at a number of specific shortcomings that were identified in Toyota vehicles that failed to prevent sudden acceleration.

The measure would require car manufacturers to adopt brake overrides, which cut engine power back to idle when the brake pedal is depressed. It would also set separate standards on keyless ignition systems, the placement of foot pedals and transmission shift controls.

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