NHTSA Seeks Greater Authority

It seems the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is looking for more power to regulate the automotive industry. The head of the agency said to a U.S. House panel yesterday that NHTSA needs to regulate “in a way that allows the auto industry to build and sell safe products that the consumer wants to drive."

Many lawmakers lambasted the agency for not moving fast enough and posited that brake override systems could also become a mandatory safety feature, and fines could be increased. In 2006, NHTSA proposed mandatory additions of black boxes or EDRs – electronic data recorders – to all cars. That rule will go into effect in 2012. Toyota and other automakers have asked for a one-year extension on that deadline.

Congress considers NHTSA reforms in wake of Toyota recalls (Detroit News)