Issues
Vehicles should better protect against pedestrian head injuries, NHTSA says
Michael Brooks, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety, described the proposed rule as one piece of a multipart effort to address pedestrian safety that is “sorely needed” and one that would be a significant milestone for federal regulations in this area. “The NHTSA pedestrian safety proposal currently open for comment relates specifically to…
Ford failed to comply with vehicle recall rules, must pay up to $165M, feds say
“A more active regime around civil penalties and enforcement, as well as larger amounts to punish violations, would go a long way towards making automakers prioritize safety,” Michael Brooks, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety, told the Free Press at the time. By Matthew Dolan November 14, 2024 Ford Motor Co. will have…
Elon Musk says he and Trump have ‘mandate to delete’ regulations. Ethics laws could limit Musk role
“That could be incredibly problematic because that would impact every rule-making from all of the agencies that currently oversee companies that Musk owns,” said Michael Brooks, executive director of the nonprofit Center for Auto Safety, a watchdog group. By Matt O’Brien and Tom Krisher November 13, 2024 In picking billionaire Elon Musk to be “our cost cutter”…
GM to make bicyclist-alert technology standard on most of its vehicles
By Jamie L. LaReau November 13, 2024 General Motors’ Safety Engineer Frank Dusina wants to be sure that drivers are alerted to bicyclists, not just because it’s his job — it’s also personal. In the early 2000s, Dusina’s close friend was biking one night through Grand Rapids. The friend was near a highway off-ramp when…
US agency says Tesla’s public statements imply that its vehicles can drive themselves. They can’t.
Auto safety advocates fear that if Musk gains some control over NHTSA, the Full Self-Driving and other investigations into Tesla could be derailed. “Of course the fox wants to build the henhouse,” said Michael Brooks, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety, a nonprofit watchdog group. By Tom Krisher November 8, 2024 The U.S.…
Experts: Trump presidency could benefit Detroit automakers, but cost car buyers more
“If the first Trump presidency is any indication, we will see NHTSA’s now-active rulemaking division come to a screeching halt. I think we only saw two relatively minor final rules make it across the finish line from 2017-2020 in Trump’s first term, whereas the Biden NHTSA has been far more active in rulemaking efforts,” Brooks…
Is Amazon’s robotaxi company trying to sidestep federal safety laws?
“Our belief is that a deployment of these vehicles on public roads is a violation of the Safety Act,” said Michael Brooks, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety. “Zoox isn’t so much exploiting a gray area as they are putting a foot over the red line and challenging NHTSA to call their bluff.”…
Musk tests the role of money in U.S. politics with multimillion-dollar effort to back Trump
Musk has even offered to help develop national safety standards for self-driving vehicles, alarming auto safety groups, which also worry that he could interfere with investigations of Tesla. “Of course the fox wants to build the henhouse,” said Michael Brooks, executive director of the nonprofit Center for Auto Safety watchdog group. By Brian Slodysko, Thomas…
Data-Driven: Consumer Disclosure Report exposes not just home addresses, but driving habits
“Unfortunately, right now in America, there’s very little law around who controls that data. Consumers don’t have a lot of rights in law that say this is your data and you can control it,” Brooks said. He does believe, however, that if the information isn’t identifiable, it could be helpful to keep the roads safe.…
Bill would codify NTSB school bus safety recommendations
“America’s school buses lack much of the essential safety equipment protecting us in our cars every day, which is why the Center for Auto Safety commends Representative Cohen for the reintroduction of the School Bus Safety Act. The School Bus Safety Act would protect schoolchildren with effective seat belts and fire prevention, modernize the school…