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Truck and Auto Safety Legislation and the U.S. Congress

The U.S. Congress passes laws for new standards and programs in auto and truck safety that are the basis for regulations by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

Issue-specific auto safety bills are passed, as in the case of the Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability and Documentation (TREAD) Act following auto safety debacles, when serious flaws and omissions in current regulations are brought to light by avoidable tragedies on the highways. Auto safety laws are also often part of the legislation reauthorizing the mission of agencies within Department of Transportation, and may also be included in bills regarding the nation's dependence on fossil fuels or national security.

Public Citizen conducts public education in support of consumer safety in numerous bills through our testimony, research and public awareness campaigns. Click here to see how your Senators and Representative voted on recent legislation. Recent testimony on auto safety is listed below by subject.

Public Citizen's Testimony on Auto Safety Legislation

 Ford-Firestone Rollover Defect

• (6/19/01) Consumers Must Have More Information About the Vehicle They Are Purchasing: The President of Public Citizen Testifies.
• (9/12/00) Firestone Tire Defect and Ford Explorer Rollovers: Testimony of Public Citizen's President Joan Claybrook to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
• (9/6/00) Firestone Tire Defect and Ford Explorer Rollovers: Testimony of Public Citizen's President Joan Claybrook to the Transportation Subcommittee of Appropriations.

 Fuel Economy Standards

• (1/24/02) Joan Claybrook's testimony to the Senate on CAFE and safety, erasing the myth that stronger fuel economy standards will result in less safe vehicles

SUV Safety Hazards

• (2/26/03) Testimony of Joan Claybrook on SUV Safety before the Senate Commerce Committee

 Public Citizen's Testimony on Truck Safety

General Truck Safety

• (6/10/03) Joan Claybrook's testimony on Truck Safety before the Senate Commerce Committee.
• (3/25/99) Testimony of Public Citizen President Joan Claybrook Before U.S. House Subcommittee on truck crash prevention.

Hazardous Materials

• (10/10/01) Testimony before Senate Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine on Truck and Bus Security and Hazardous Materials Licensing.

Mexico-Domiciled Trucks

• (7/18/01) Testimony of Joan Claybrook, President of Public Citizen Concerning Cross-Border Truck and Bus Operations to the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Because Public Citizen does not accept funds from corporations, professional associations or government agencies, we can remain independent and follow the truth wherever it may lead. But that means we depend on the generosity of concerned citizens like you for the resources to fight on behalf of the public interest. If you would like to help us in our fight, click here.