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Press Release |
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Press Release Contact:
Thursday, October 5, 2000
Sally Greenberg/David Butler
(202) 462-6262
Consumers
Union Washington, DC Office
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A House committee today
approved what would be the first-ever federal rollover ratings for
vehicles based on driving tests.
The House Commerce Committee approved
legislation sponsored by Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass., that gives the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) two years to
develop a driving test that would produce scores ranking cars,
sport-utility vehicles (SUVs), pickups, and minivans for rollover
risk.
"This is an enormous victory for consumers and
an important step forward for auto safety in America," said Sally
Greenberg, Senior Product Safety Counsel for Consumers Union, which
has asked NHTSA to address the rollover problem since 1988.
"For the first time ever, the government would
provide consumers meaningful information about how likely a vehicle
is to roll over, and the information will be based on real-world
driving tests, not just how tall and wide the vehicle is," Greenberg
said.
Earlier this year, NHTSA proposed a program for
rating rollovers based simply on the vehicle's height and width, but
not on actual driving tests. Consumers Union criticized NHTSA's
proposal, saying that driving tests would provide much more accurate
and useful information about rollover propensity. If Markey's
proposal becomes law, NHTSA is expected to unveil its ratings based
on vehicle measurements in December while it develops the driving
test for future ratings.
The House committee approved Markey's
legislation as part of an auto safety bill to address concerns in the
wake of the Firestone tire recall. "Most of the deaths blamed on the
recalled tires involved SUVs that rolled over after a tire failed,"
Greenberg said. "Last year alone, over 10,000 people died in traffic
accidents involving rollovers. The time for a government rating for
rollover risks is long overdue," she said.
The House Commerce Committee unanimously
approved the overall safety bill this afternoon. It must be passed
by the full House and Senate and signed by the President to become
law. While the bill enjoys wide support, its backers are seriously
concerned that Congress could adjourn for the year without approving
the bill.
"In light of the recent tragedy surrounding
tire failures and rollovers, it would be unconscionable for Congress
not to do everything in its power to prevent this tragedy from
happening again. It is imperative for Congress to pass this bill
before it adjourns for the year. Too many lives have been lost to
wait any longer," Greenberg said.
Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports, is an independent, nonprofit testing and information organization, serving only the consumer. We are a comprehensive source of unbiased advice about products and services, personal finance, health, nutrition, and other consumer concerns. Since 1936, our mission has been to test products, inform the public, and protect the consumers.
