AUTOMATIC CRASH PROTECTION--AND SO IT GOES

Since 1969 there have been approximately 60 notices of proposed rulemaking, hearings, and amendments regarding automatic crash protection for the front seat occupants of U.S. automobiles. In 1976 Transportation Secretary William Coleman proposed a voluntary demonstration program of 500,000 cars with passive restraints, but the next Transportation Secretary, Brock Adams, decided against that and mandated automatic crash protection for 1982-84 model cars. Then the Reagan Administration's Transportation Secretary, Ray Peck, rescinded the Adams order and the insurance industry took the matter to court. On August 4, 1982 a federal appeals court ruled that automakers must install passive restraints in 1984-model new cars. Following a discussion of the preceding statements, this report presents a review of recent judicial activities dealing with bumpers; legislative activities relating to the budget and product liability; and executive branch activities dealing with child restraint systems, confidential information on product safety, crash parts, EPA exemptions, EPA stationary sources rule, fuel economy, industrial energy, motorcycle lighting, NHTSA financial aid program, side door strength, tire quality grading, and a vehicle manufacturer list.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/2240909
• Corporate Authors:

  Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)

  400 Commonwealth Drive
  Warrendale, PA  United States  15096
• Publication Date: 1982-9

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 10-14
• Serial:
  • Automotive Engineering
  • Volume: 90
  • Issue Number: 9
  • Publisher: Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)
  • ISSN: 0098-2571

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automatic seat belts; Federal government; Laws; Motor vehicles; Passive restraint systems
• Geographic Terms: United States
• Old TRIS Terms: Automatic restraints; Motor vehicle laws & regulations
• Subject Areas: Highways; Law; Vehicles and Equipment; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00370668
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-033 728
• Files: HSL, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Feb 28 1983 12:00AM