Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety

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SUMMARY OF TESTIMONY OF
JACQUELINE S. GILLAN
VICE PRESIDENT, ADVOCATES FOR HIGHWAY AND AUTO SAFETY

Preliminary figures released by the U.S. Department of Transportation show that in 2002 there were 42,850 deaths last year, the highest number in a decade. Alcohol-related fatalities increased, there was a 5% jump in rollover fatalities, more teen drivers were killed, deaths for children ages 8 to 15 rose, motorcycle fatalities increased for the fifth year in a row, and the majority of those killed in motor vehicle crashes were not wearing a seatbelt. The annual cost of highway crashes is $230 billion. The good news is that effective, proven solutions and strategies are already on the shelf and ready to be used. Congress has a unique opportunity in the reauthorization of NHTSA's motor vehicle and traffic safety programs to prevent needless deaths and injuries on our highways. A 20% reduction in deaths and injuries would more than pay for the total cost of DOT's surface transportation bill. The NHTSA reauthorization bill should:

PROVIDE ADEQUATE FUNDING FOR NHTSA:

Nearly 95% of all transportation-related fatalities are the result of motor vehicle crashes but NHTSA's budget is less than 1% of the entire DOT budget. Motor vehicle safety regulatory actions languish and state enforcement of impaired driving laws is inadequate. Under the Administration's authorization bill, NHTSA programs are not adequately funded and this will jeopardize efforts to bring down highway deaths and injuries.

ESTABLISH A MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY REGULATORY AGENDA WITH DEADLINES FOR ACTIONS SIMILAR TO THE TREAD ACT IN 2000:

Rollover fatalities in 2002 exceeded 10,600. Rollover crashes represent 3% of all collisions but account for 32% of all occupant fatalities. Require NHTSA to issue final rules on a rollover stability standard and on a crashworthiness standard that improves roof strength, advanced upper interior head impact protection, ejection prevention and integrated seating systems with improved seat belts.

Light trucks and vans, especially sport utility vehicles (SUVs) can cause great harm to smaller passenger vehicles in a crash. Side impact crashes are particularly dangerous. When an SUV hits a passenger car in the side, the passenger car driver is 16 times more likely to die. The ratio soars to 26 to 1 when the striking vehicle is a pickup truck. Require NHTSA to improve vehicle compatibility between larger and smaller passenger vehicles.

Improve the safety of 15 passenger vans by enactment of S.717, the Passenger Van Safety Act of 2003, and extend all occupant protection standards to passenger vehicles above 6,000 lbs. gross vehicle weight rating.

Improve consumer information by instructing NHTSA to require that all new vehicles at the point of sale display a safety label indicating overall safety performance.

ENCOURAGE STATE ACTIONS TO IMPROVE SAFETY:

Enact the DOT proposal for encouraging state adoption of a primary seat belt law but include a sanction after a reasonable time frame. Prohibit states subject to the redirection penalty of the Highway Safety Improvement Program to shift traffic safety funds back into highway construction.

Increase funding for impaired driving programs.

Require increased NHTSA oversight of Section 402 state traffic safety programs to ensure accountability and effectiveness.

ENHANCE THE SAFETY OF CHILDREN IN AND AROUND CARS:

Enact an incentive program to encourage state adoption of booster seat laws.

Direct NHTSA to collect and publish data on child fatalities and injuries in parked and inoperable cars.

Require NHTSA to ensure that automatic window systems will not kill or injure children.

Require NHTSA to enhance driver rear visibility to prevent backing up crashes that kill children and adults.