Former NHTSA Administrator Says Automakers Should Be Forced To Include Safety Features Not Agreed To In Cooperative Efforts

The industry wide pact to make automatic emergency braking standard on nearly all new cars and trucks by 2022 was a victory for Mark Rosekind, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration chief who has hustled to cement a more cooperative model of automaker-regulator relations during his remaining months in office.

But some safety advocates see the deal as a setback for regulatory rigor that prioritizes expediency over public safety. Such voluntary agreements, they say, lack the force of law and the transparency of the conventional rule-making process.

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MDarringer - 3/21/2016 9:35:19 AM

-6 Boost

Joan Claybrook is a hateful old bag. Liberals of this ilk think cars can be made safer by adding more laws and regulations. They don't care about the cost because they can afford to drive anything they want. Current regulations are sufficient.

TheSteve - 3/21/2016 11:17:10 AM

0 Boost

MDarringer: You argument was used when seat belts were first introduced, and some people opposed them for reasons ranging from the belief that they'll cut the wearer in half in the event of an accident, to concerns over wrinkled clothes. Lots of people believed cars were safe enough before daytime running lights were invented, and then made compulsory by law.

In *MY* view, most enterprises are more concerned with profit than with the health or safety of the people who consume their products, so I believe it's a good idea to have someone looking out for my fellow humans. I just don't have confidence in today's organizations, such as the NHTSA or the FDA to do that.

MDarringer - 3/21/2016 12:53:19 PM

-4 Boost

I just do not agree that more is always better. Your argument is spurious at best. People throw out red herring arguments when their sole goal is to want to appear to win. The irony is that in doing so they have admitted loss going in.

Your context is idiotic. When seat belts were a new thing, cars were under virtually no safety constraints.

In 2016, cars are under a multitude of regulations to protect occupant safety.

More is not better, but given your argument, let me ask this: Are you voting for Hillary or Bernie?

TheSteve - 3/22/2016 1:19:26 PM

-1 Boost

MDarringer wrote "...I just do not agree that more is always better..."

I agree! The statement "change is good" is also bunk! I say "GOOD change is good". So more arbitrary or misguided laws are not a good idea, but additional laws that are reasonable and which increase safety... well, I support that idea.

MrEE - 3/23/2016 8:06:01 PM

+1 Boost

The next big reinvention of vehicles is automated systems. Too bad some have to be forced to stay relevant. Toyota will be 5 years ahead of the industry with 2017 being their timing for standard automated emergency braking.

MDarringer - 3/23/2016 9:57:48 PM

0 Boost

I wish scurvy on this old partisan hag.