In Wake of GM Safety Recalls, Markey and Blumenthal Introduce Legislation to Ensure Transparency, More Reporting to Prevent Auto Injuries, Fatalities

Press Release

With dozens of reported injuries and deaths linked to the recall of 1.6 million GM vehicles, including seven injuries in Massachusetts, today Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) introduced legislation to ensure auto manufacturers provide more information about incidents involving fatalities to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA). The legislation, the Early Warning Reporting System Improvement Act, would require NHTSA make the information it receives from auto manufacturers publicly available in a searchable, user-friendly format so that consumers and independent safety experts can evaluate potential safety defects themselves. GM has admitted to knowing for at least a decade about the ignition switch defect in Chevy Cobalts and Saturn Ions that have led to the massive recall, and NHTSA failed to connect the dots using accident reports and other information it had to more quickly and aggressively investigate the defect.

"A massive information breakdown at NHTSA has led to deadly vehicle breakdowns on our roads," said Senator Markey, a member of Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. "The Department of Transportation has the authority to require critical safety information be made publicly available, but it has never used its authority. We need the Early Warning Reporting system to provide actual early warnings to ensure the public is informed and possible defects are fully investigated. I look forward to working with Senator Blumenthal and all of my colleagues to pass this legislation that will protect drivers from injury and possibly death."

"Timely information can save lives when it reveals lethal defects," said Senator Blumenthal, a member of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. "NHTSA's job should be to make life-saving information available, not more difficult to access. This up-to-date, accessible database will be a vital tool for drivers and consumer advocates in preventing future harm. I am pleased to join Senator Markey in the effort to implement this innovative solution."

"In 2000, Congress required a new Early Warning Reporting System for NHTSA to catch safety defects before they killed consumers. In light of the problems revealed with Toyota unintended acceleration and Cobalt airbags, we know EWR is broken and needs to be fixed," said Clarence Ditlow, Executive Director for the Center for Auto Safety. "Auto companies have run millions of defective vehicles through loopholes in EWR, including not having to submit documents on deaths caused by defects when they first learn of them. The Center for Auto Safety commends Senators Markey and Blumenthal for introducing legislation to close deadly loopholes in the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act."

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