Sunday, March 3, 2002

The Detroit News In rear-impact crashes, weak seatbacks can fail, sending their occupants flying backward. In NHTSA tests of high-speed crashes, seats frequently failed.

Lax auto safety rules cost thousands of lives

Vehicle safety standards outdated

NHTSA's regulatory challenges

Added auto safety a mix of technology, standards
Regulations, demandsby consumers bringsafer fleets to market

Agency created to end highway ‘slaughter’
But effectiveness undermined by lax enforcement efforts

Vehicle ratings draw fire
Lawmakers, consumer groups call for true performance tests, not risk calculations

Regulation unchanged in 33 years
Insurance industry, not NHTSA, pushes U.S. automakers to improve head rests

Effective standard eludes regulators
No tests can simulate effects of real-world vehicle crashes

Agency quietly rejects stronger glass standard
After decade of study, NHTSA rules out upgrade, fearing risk to belted motorists

NHTSA readies tougher rules

Better science can improve dated designs
Technical issues delay new standards

NHTSA Timeline -- 1965-2002

Monday, March 4, 2002

In 1994, NHTSA dropped a case against GM pickups with fuel tanks that allegedly were prone to rupture. In return, GM spent $51 million on safety programs.

NHTSA forfeits oversight role
Lives lost because meek agency slow to spot defects

Agency slow to add staff

Major defect cases

Reforms can take years to implement
Even after research, new regulations can fail to improve safety

Politicians undermine clout
Automakers avoid recalls after top officials intervene

Agency’s work hindered by faulty data
Flaws in statistical evidence cast doubt on scientific findings

Report finds lax pursuit of defects
Poor review prompts agency vow to better screen complaints

NHTSA’s revolving door

Rollover complaints dismissed
Emerging safety issue was ignored, critics say

Agency’s pace of change concerns lawmakers
An “early warning” defect detection system mandated by 2000 law is not yet working

Repairs favored over recalls
Automakers offer service campaigns, no mention of defects

Tuesday, March 5, 2002

Victoria Arocho / Associated Press Patricia Anderson, center, her son, Tyshon Haney, and daughter, Alisha Parker, far right, were awarded $4.9 billion for burns sustained when the gas tank of their 1979 Chevrolet Malibu exploded after being rear-ended. With them is attorney Carl E. Douglas.

Courts fill void left by NHTSA
Judges, juries make their own safety calls

Scholars question courts’ proper role
Some ask if judges have expertise, power to order recalls

Consumer groups are wary of secret deals
Some challenge judges to unseal company documents to obtain life-saving data

Agency missed warning sign
Problem exposed by lawsuits long before NHTSA acted

Deaths, lawsuits spur rule revisions
NHTSA orders a change in inflation power to protect kids

Judge steps in after NHTSA balks
Withheld documents hindered agency’s probe of Ford cars

Agency’s recall power extended by two years
Statute of limitation for ordering repairs stretched to 10 years

Wednesday, March 6, 2002

Jym Wilson / Gannett News Service Dr. Ricardo Martinez, a former administrator of NHTSA, says that with more staff, resources and money, the agency could bring safety standards in line with technology.

Money, clout key to fixing NHTSA
More resources, better oversight needed to allow auto safety agency to do its job

Critics: Agency must change how it works
Consumer groups provide lessons for repairing NHTSA

Oversight efforts get small share
More than half of agency’s funds go to public education

New priorities push auto safety to the backseat
Bush administration follows 20-year shift away from oversight