NHTSA Urged to Maintain Its Support for Annual Vehicle Inspections

August 30, 2012

When common sense safety measures and wise vehicle registration policies intersect, real lives are saved and many serious injuries from car accidents averted. California has long been among states that require vehicle safety inspections under some circumstances. According to AAA, all non-resident vehicles require a safety inspection when first registered in California, and CHP officers can require a roadside inspection if they suspect a vehicle is unsafe.

Sound reporting practices and inspection requirements can help regulators recognize common auto defects and product safety issues that can lead to car or truck accidents. Whether a specific problem is detected through vehicle inspections or a widespread safety issue emerges that demands an auto recall, public safety is enhanced.

Acknowledging that vehicle safety inspections save lives, auto parts industry groups recently expressed concerns over proposed changes to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regulations regarding promotion of State inspection programs. Both the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) and the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) asked NHTSA to retain the long-standing recommendation in its Highway Safety Program Guidelines that States maintain annual automotive safety inspections.

The groups cited two recent studies that show the effect that inspections of safety equipment have on driver and passenger safety. A study conducted by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation concluded that the State experiences up to 187 fewer car crash fatalities each year because of problems detected and remedied during mandatory annual safety inspections. Data collected and assessed by the Missouri State Highway Patrol showed that auto defects cause fewer fatal crashes there than the national rate due to the State's vehicle inspection requirements.

A MEMA spokesperson noted in a press release that the average vehicle age in the U.S. has increased steadily over that past fifteen years, and the group strongly endorses regular inspections of the following mechanical and safety components:
- Lighting systems
- Mirrors
- Windshields and other glass
- Seat belts and air bags
- Dashboard warning lights for operation of anti-lock brake systems and electronic stability control systems
- Doors
- Fuel systems
- Exhaust systems

In the aftermath of any car accident, assessing what went wrong may involve everything from witness accounts to automotive black box data and investigation of parts and components by technical experts. A driver's negligence may be only part of the picture, and a car accident attorney's ability to identify all potentially liable parties can help clients obtain full compensation for medical expenses or a lifetime of lost income due to a wrongful death.

Article provided by The Huver Law Firm
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