The auto safety legislation prompted by Toyota Motor Corp’s sudden acceleration crisis has been watered down after opposition from the industry, The Los Angeles Times reports.
The original version of the bill did not cap the fines federal officials could levy against automakers for safety violations; current language sets the maximum fine at $200 million.
The current version also tosses out landmark safety standards for vehicle electronics; now the Secretary of Transportation would only have to “consider” them.
Advocates are disappointed but not surprised by the impact industry lobbying has had on safety legislation. Automakers have spent about $50 million annually on lobbying for the past ten years.
“The auto industry has had undue influence on this legislation,” Joan Claybrook, former head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, told the Times. “The industry wanted to change a lot of little words that had a major impact.”
The bill does call for new safety standards, including push-button electronic starting systems, easier-to-understand transmission shifting systems and a brake override that would power down a vehicle if a gas pedal becomes stuck, the Times reports.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving successfully lobbied for an amendment to the bill that would dedicate up to $60 million over the course of five years to developing technology to curb drunk driving.
But other advocacy groups are frustrated that the money would come out of funding originally allocated for vehicle safety and research, and further delay new safety standards.
“If the purpose of the standards is to save lives and prevent injuries, delaying the implementation is not going to achieve that goal,” said Clarence Ditlow, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety. “The one certainty is that there will be deaths and injuries caused by the delay. What we don’t know is how many. ”
