Senate Committee Approves Auto Safety Bill

[Omaha Steve]

http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/100610-Senate-Committee-Approves-Auto-Safety-Bill/

By Greg Fink

Posted: Jun 10, 2010 11:42 a.m.

Runaway Toyotas may no longer be the latest headlines, but the effects of Toyota’s massive accelerator pedal recall are still making news.

On Wednesday, the Senate Commerce Committee passed “a far-reaching vehicle safety bill that has largely won both automaker and consumer support, sending the measure to the full Senate,” says Automotive News.

According to the Associated Press, “The Senate plan would require automakers to meet new standards related to brake override systems, vehicle black boxes and auto electronics in the aftermath of Toyota Motor Corp.'s recall of more than 8 million vehicles around the globe.”

Brake override systems prevent the simultaneous use of the brake and throttle pedals by cutting power when the brakes are applied. Vehicle black boxes record vehicle data (related to speed, throttle position, brake pressure, etc.) for a set period of time to help officials determine the cause and fault of an accident.

The AP reports, “Congress hopes to approve the safety legislation by the July 4 holiday recess. It represents the most significant reforms to auto safety rules since the Bridgestone/Firestone tire recalls of a decade ago.”

FULL story at link.