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Stearns Focuses On Automobile Safety During Nhtsa Reauthorization Hearing Stearns Notes Need For 'Clean" Reauthorization Bill In Contrast To Senate Action

WASHINGTON, MARCH 18, 2004 - "Automobile accidents kill over 40,000 people a year in this nation," stated Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL), Chairman of the Commerce, Trade & Consumer Protection Subcommittee. "What is distressing is that many of these lives need not have been lost. Although there are more cars on the road than ever before, and we continue to see the fatality and injury rates decrease, there is no doubt that more needs to be done."

Stearns commended Jeffrey Runge, Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on his efforts to make seat belt use a priority. In addition, he recognized NHTSA's work on vehicle compatibility. Explained Stearns, "The exponential growth of SUVs and minivans in the market have changed the equation in car crashes. While most buy SUVs or similar vehicles to gain safety, few wonder what the impact will be on a smaller car. Thankfully, NHTS is considering vehicle compatibility and continues to research the best way to frame the problem."

Runge highlighted some of the areas of interest for NHTSA. "Of the 32,598 passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2002, 9,197 were killed in side impacts. We have developed a notice of proposed rulemaking upgrading our side-impact standard. We estimate that this upgrade would prevent many hundreds of deaths annually." Other areas covered were crash avoidance technology. "The most significant vehicle safety initiatives in the future will be based on technology that will avoid crashes. This would include evaluations of electronic stability control, telematics (combining wireless communication with a global positioning system), alternative braking, vision enhancement systems, collision avoidance systems, and lane departure warnings." Another area dealt with research and development on the fuel integrity of hydrogen-powered vehicles.

Stearns outlined his intention to work with the Administration on developing a bill focused on reauthorizing NHTSA without the mandatory rulemakings contained in the Senate version. "I urge my colleagues to join me in approving a bipartisan 'clean' reauthorization bill that allows NHTSA to move forward in its mission without various congressional mandates," noted Stearns. "In addition, the car companies are responding to the public demand for safer automobiles, and this is a trend we should encourage."