On behalf of Smiley & Smiley, LLP posted in Car Accidents on Tuesday, June 16, 2015.
We have previously written about the numerous scandals which have affected the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in recent years. This federal agency is the organization most directly invested in roadway safety. Therefore, when scandals affect the NHTSA’s operations, they tend to affect the safety of the nation’s motorists on some level as well.
The most pressing scandals affecting the NHTSA’s operations and reputation in recent years have had to do with the agency’s recall-related authority. Specifically, the NHTSA has failed to detect certain potentially fatal auto defects in a reasonable amount of time. In the wake of these scandals, many lawmakers have questioned whether or not the NHTSA should be reformed.
It seems that these questions are inspiring legislation which may ultimately lead to a restructuring of the NHTSA on some level. The current chair of the Senate Commerce Committee is now considering various proposals aimed at reforming the agency. According to The Detroit News, not only is the committee chair considering the introduction of reform-related legislation, he is not convinced that the overworked agency is in need of more funding.
It is therefore unclear at this time whether or not Congress will ultimately act to reform the NHTSA. On the one hand, some lawmakers believe it is in need of reform while others would likely be more inclined to simply adjust the agency’s funding. Only time will tell whether or not this agency will receive a significant makeover at the request of Congress. Either way, it is imperative that the NHTSA continues to reevaluate its operations and priorities in order to better ensure the safety of American roadway travelers.
Source: The Detroit News, “GOP senator considering NHTSA reform bill,” David Shepardson, June 9, 2015
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