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Pallone Calls on Congress to Pass His Legislation to Improve Vehicle Safety, Following Largest Recall in U.S. History

May 26, 2015

LONG BRANCH, NJ – Following the largest vehicle recall in U.S. history, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D NJ-06), Ranking Member of the House Energy and Committee, today at a press conference called on Congress to improve vehicle safety and consumer protection through the Vehicle Safety Improvement Act of 2015 (VSIA). The legislation addresses lessons learned from the record 64 million recalled vehicles in 2014 to enhance oversight, establish new protections for consumers, provide the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) with additional safety authorities, and promote safety of American cars. The press conference also highlighted last week’s recall of nearly 34 million cars and trucks nationwide and how the legislation can protect consumers from defective vehicles. After long delays, the recall, due to fatal defects in Takata airbags, is not only the largest vehicle recall ever, but the largest recall of any consumer product in U.S. history.

Pallone introduced the bill in February with Congresswoman Janice Schakowsky (D-IL).

“As we’ve clearly seen with the massive but delayed recalls from Takata and GM, steps are needed to improve vehicle safety and the recall process,” said Congressman Pallone. “The Vehicle Safety Improvement Act of 2015 would help protect consumers and would give NHTSA the tools and resources necessary to handle the kinds of safety hazards involved with these recent recalls. With one out of seven cars on U.S. roads affected by last week’s recall, the time is now for Congress to act to bring American consumers the protections and safety they deserve.”

“AAA fully supports legislative proposals such as the Vehicle Safety Improvement Act of 2015 that call for reforms that strengthen the recall process, increase penalties for inaction by manufactures, and clarify additional NHTSA oversight responsibilities,” said Tracy Noble, Manager, Public & Government Affairs, AAA Mid-Atlantic. “Accountability, transparency and full and timely disclosure of any potential safety defect is not negotiable when it comes to motorist safety.”

Following last week’s historic recall, Pallone issued a statement with Schakowsky, available HERE.

Today’s press conference was held in Middletown, New Jersey with the American Automobile Association (AAA).

Among other measures, the Vehicle Safety Improvement Act:

  • Requires that all recalls occur on a national basis;
  • Grants NHTSA the authority to expedite auto company recalls in the case of an “imminent hazard,” when a defect substantially increases the likelihood of serious injury or death if not remedied immediately;
  • Requires that manufacturers’ safety-related communications regarding defective parts be made public on NHTSA’s website;
  • Requires the establishment of standards for motor vehicles to reduce the number of injuries and death of pedestrians struck by vehicles;
  • Increases the penalties that could be assessed for violations of federal motor vehicle safety laws, like the failure to disclose relevant information to regulators in a timely manner;
  • Requires used car dealers to repair safety defects before used cars can be sold.