Auto Industry Backs U.S. ‘Black Box,’ Brake Bill

Manufacturing.Net (Thomas, Associated Press) - [The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers] representing Detroit automakers and Toyota Motor Corp. plans to pledge support for requiring brake override systems and vehicle "black boxes" on all new vehicles as Congress develops new safety improvements following Toyota's large recalls.

...Congress is pushing the auto industry to meet new safety standards and impose tougher penalties on car companies that fail to quickly report safety defects to the government. A House panel on Thursday is hearing from David Strickland, administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, automakers and safety advocates to discuss the legislation under development. A draft bill by the House Energy and Commerce Committee would eliminate the cap on civil penalties an automaker could face and empower the government to order an immediate safety recall if it finds an "imminent hazard of death or serious injury."


David McCurdy, who leads the auto alliance, planned to express support for requiring event data recorders, or vehicle "black boxes," in new vehicles but is questioning the costs, noting that a typical airline black box costs more than $20,000 (euro15,500).