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Lack of Federal Oversight Partially to Blame for Toyota Crisis
As Congress held hearings and members angrily wagged fingers at Toyota executives, some critics pointed at the federal government as a key part of the problems enveloping the Japanese auto giant.
March 07, 2010 /Law and Legal PR News/ -- Lack of Federal Oversight Partially to Blame for Toyota Crisis
As Congress held hearings and members angrily wagged fingers at Toyota executives, some critics were pointing at the federal government as a key part of the problems enveloping the Japanese auto giant.
Vista, Calif. Rep. Darrell Issa co-chaired a hearing of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform addressing the recent recalls, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's handling of consumer complaints and oversight of automakers.
Oversight lacking
As lawmakers probed Toyota's internal efforts to quash U.S. government investigations and its efforts to fix reported problems with sudden acceleration and braking in its cars, they also cast an increasingly skeptical eye toward the NHTSA.
When the agency receives consumer complaints about defects in vehicles, it opens an investigation in which its engineers conduct evaluations of the reported flaws. One of the problems Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has acknowledged is that only two of the agency's 125 engineers are electronics engineers.
Complaints about Toyota vehicles have ranged from problems with floor mats, gas pedals that stick and brakes that fail. As a result, there have been widely publicized reports of crashes, injuries and more than 30 deaths nationwide. The automaker has recalled over eight million vehicles so far.
New safety laws looming
Agitated by consumer outrage over the failure of the highly regarded corporate culture of Toyota and the federal government's own consumer watchdogs, lawmakers are threatening new legislation to prevent future safety scandals of this scope.
One proposal would require automakers to install data recorders in every vehicle -- black boxes similar to those in airplanes -- containing accident and performance data downloadable by regulators.
Toyota says recent models contain such devices, but admitted there's only a single machine in the entire country capable of reading the boxes, and that a company representative must be present while the machine is operated.
Another legislative proposal would require new cars to have brake override systems; software ensuring that an engine's throttle goes to idle whenever the brakes are deployed.
Congress will also consider empowering NHTSA with the authority to levy criminal penalties on automakers that delay safety recalls. The agency can currently assess civil penalties of up to $16.4 million, but it hasn't used this power since 2004.
Have you been affected by Toyota's failures?
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a San Diego car accident because of a defect in a Toyota vehicle or another vehicle brand, contact a personal injury lawyer who can evaluate your case and help you use the law to protect yourself and your family.
Article provided by The McClellan Law Firm
Visit us at www.mcclellanlaw.com
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