Senate Democrats wrote the Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this week, requesting action on safety regulations for keyless ignition vehicles.
U.S. Sens. Bob Casey (D-PA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Bill Nelson (D-FL) noted the regulation had repeatedly been delayed since its first proposal in December 2011. They say that lives are at stake, citing a New York Times story that linked at least 28 deaths and 45 injuries since 2006 to the inadequate warnings and consumer education involved in keyless ignitions.
“Given the gravity of this issue, we request an update on the keyless ignition rulemaking process and strongly urge NHTSA to expeditiously finalize its rule to prevent further tragedies from occurring,” the senators wrote. “As NHTSA works to finalize the rule, we also ask the agency to reconsider including a timed, automatic shutdown requirement when drivers exit their vehicle. While NHTSA’s continued work on this issue was appreciated, over two years have now passed without further action to protect consumers. This is unacceptable.”
Audible warnings to those leaving a running vehicle, automatic shutdowns and collection of data linked to carbon monoxide deaths and injuries from keyless ignition cars were all requested. Further, the senators requested a federal safety standard to be created for automakers. After all, they say that the delay has caused some automakers to wave responsibility.
“NHTSA’s lack of action has allowed other automakers to state publicly that their keyless ignition systems meet or exceed all relevant federal safety standards, despite the known and unaddressed dangers,” the senators wrote. “This difference in response across the auto industry highlights the importance and necessity for a federal standard to be established and enforced without further delay.”