WASHINGTON, DC - House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) and Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Subcommittee Chairman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX) today welcomed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s enhancements to the 5-Star Crash Safety Ratings System.
“This is another important step toward protecting families in Michigan and across the country," said Upton. “The House acted last week to improve the auto safety recall process and reform NHTSA. One of the items in the highway bill calls on NHTSA to update its safety ratings and I hope that process will move forward quickly and thoughtfully. The announcement today that NHTSA will incorporate, for the first time, crash avoidance technologies as a part of a vehicle’s safety ratings is good for safety. Folks in Michigan have been developing these technologies for many years, and NHTSA’s recognition of their benefit will make progress toward keeping the driving public out of harm’s way."
“Working to reform NHTSA, in part by ensuring that it has the resources necessary to protect the driving public, has been a priority of our committee," added Burgess. “By enhancing the safety ratings system, and including new, advanced technology in their consideration - Americans can better understand what safety technologies they are buying. We have a shared responsibility to keep everyone safe on the road. NHTSA’s action today is indicative of its continued commitment to the American car buyer."
The president signed the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act into law last week. Included in the legislation were a number of bills and provisions to keep families safe on the road. They include:
* An amendment from Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Subcommittee Chairman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. to improve vehicle safety by reforming auto safety recall processes and modernizing the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,
* An amendment from Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) to keep defective vehicles off the road by requiring automakers to provide more information about defective parts in their recall notices.
* H.R. 2675, the Low Volume Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Act, authored by Rep. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) to promote growth and innovation within the low-volume manufacturing industry by creating a framework for low-volume manufacturers to produce replica vehicles.
