THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF AUTOMOBILE REGULATION

This preliminary report addresses statements by auto industry executives and others that the industry in being over-regulated and harmed economically by federal regulation. The report examines the fundamental issues raised by these criticisms--the need for regulation, how responsible the regulatory process is carried out, the costs imposed on the industry and, specifically, the overall effect of the NHTSA's rulemaking on the industry and the economy. Among the major conclusions drawn from this study are the follwing: The NHTSA's responsibility to improve safety is warranted by the annual loss of 47,000 lives and the millions of injuries in motor vehicle crashes. The Agency's estimate of the average price to consumers of safety features contained in a model year 1978 automobile is only about $250--approximately one-half the amount claimed by auto makers. The Agency does not agree with charges that its standards adversely affect competition. As a result of fuel economy standards, the nation decreases its reliability on foreign sources of oil. The Agency belives that the large domestic auto firms have generally not been as innovative as the smaller foreign firms. And, the fuel economy standards set for model years 1981-84 require capital investments within the industry's capability.

Corporate Authors:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC United States 20590
Publication Date: 1978-6

Media Info

Features: Appendices; Tables;
Pagination: 32 p.

Subject/Index Terms

TRT Terms: Automobiles; Economic impacts; Fatalities; Fuel consumption; Highway safety; Industries; Injuries; Prevention; Regulations; Safety; Safety equipment
Uncontrolled Terms: Safety features
Subject Areas: Economics; Energy; Highways; Law; Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies; Society;

Filing Info

Accession Number: 00178865
Record Type: Publication
Report/Paper Numbers: Prelim Rpt
Files: TRIS, USDOT
Created Date: Aug 19 1978 12:00AM