Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[U.S. Army ends decade-long NASCAR sponsorship]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/13/u-s-army-ends-decade-long-nascar-sponsorship/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/13/u-s-army-ends-decade-long-nascar-sponsorship/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/13/u-s-army-ends-decade-long-nascar-sponsorship/#commentsFiled under: , ,



If you question why the Army National Guard has been spending your tax money on a NASCAR team, apparently you're not alone. Minnesota Representative Betty McCollum (D) is wondering aloud why the U.S. Armed Forces has spent nearly $20 million over the past couple of years sponsoring the Stewart-Haas Racing team. That relationship is reportedly coming to an end now, however, as the Army has declined to renew sponsorship for next season.

At first, it might seem NASCAR's core audience and the pool of potential Army recruits would have big overlap. But according to a Marketplace report, Senator McCollum says she was told by the Guard themselves that the NASCAR sponsorship deal has brought in some 24,800 interested recruits. But of that group, only 20 were actually qualified to join the Guard. And of that same group, exactly zero joined. McCollum says her goal is to get Congress to limit what the Army can spend its ad dollars on, and sports sponsorships will not be on her approved list.

Stewart-Haas Racing currently fields teams for Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman. Danica Patrick was to come on board next season, but those plans could be jeopardized by the loss of such a huge sponsor.

U.S. Army ends decade-long NASCAR sponsorship originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Jul 2012 08:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingarmyarmy national guardbetty mccollumcongressnascarnational guardryan newmanstock carFri, 13 Jul 2012 08:44:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20276469/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/07/13/u-s-army-ends-decade-long-nascar-sponsorship/20276469/article-detail.xml 20276469 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/army-nascar-no-39_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/army-nascar-no-39.jpg <![CDATA[House Dems call on Chrysler to deal with Wrangler "Death Wobble" [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/09/house-dems-call-on-chrysler-to-deal-with-wrangler-death-wobble/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/09/house-dems-call-on-chrysler-to-deal-with-wrangler-death-wobble/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/09/house-dems-call-on-chrysler-to-deal-with-wrangler-death-wobble/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



If the adjective "death" was applied to any item, incident or location that had been involved in a single fatality, then we'd all be imbibing death drinks while driving death cars on death roads from our death jobs to our death homes to be with our death spouses, death kids and death pets. Yet when it comes to the wobble that's been reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration by hundreds Jeep Wrangler owners, the report of one "fatality related to the suspected condition" has earned it the moniker "Death Wobble" on the television news.

In response to the newscast in question, Congressional representatives Anna G Eshoo and Henry A. Waxman sent a lengthy list of questions to NHTSA in order to find out more about the issue and requested an investigation. NHTSA declined to investigate, saying that the issue "does not result in a loss of control."

So now, according to a report in The Detroit News, Eshoo and Waxman have gone directly to Chrysler seeking "an outreach campaign to its customers, such as a Customer Satisfaction Campaign, to notify Jeep owners of the risk of the 'wobble' condition ... and the possible methods for repairing and preventing the problem." Chrysler has said that the Wrangler has an excellent safety record and reiterated its position that "most reported incidents - in all manufacturer vehicles equipped with or without a solid axle - are often linked to poorly installed or maintained after-market equipment, such as lifters, oversized tires, etc."

No one denies that a wobbling event has occurred for some Wrangler drivers when they hit something like a pothole at speeds beyond 45 mph, and the situation could probably be addressed by something better than a corporate statement that owner modifications or carelessness have caused it. While Chrysler also states that any vehicle with a solid front axle is prone to such wobbling, Automotive News' Larry Vellequette wrote a well reasoned piece that goes into detail about how the Wrangler has been caught in a bit of a bind: the same steering and front axle setup that make the Wrangler great for off-roading can lead to such wobbling on-road at speed, and the Wrangler's increasing popularity with the average driver unfamiliar with those kinds of compromises has led to everyone getting the short end of the stick.

It's unclear what will happen to resolve it, but it's clear that something will have to happen. Scroll down for the original newscast as well as videos showing some owners experiencing the wobble in question.

Continue reading House Dems call on Chrysler to deal with Wrangler "Death Wobble" [w/video]

House Dems call on Chrysler to deal with Wrangler "Death Wobble" [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Jul 2012 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abcabc newsanna eshoochryslercongresshenry waxmanjeepjeep wranglerjeep wrangler death wobblewranglerwrangler death wobbleMon, 09 Jul 2012 09:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20273397/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/07/09/house-dems-call-on-chrysler-to-deal-with-wrangler-death-wobble/20273397/article-detail.xml 20273397 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/wranglerwobbleissue_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/wranglerwobbleissue.jpg <![CDATA[3 of 4 major rental car outfits won't pledge not to rent or sell recalled vehicles]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/13/3-of-4-major-rental-car-outfits-wont-pledge-not-to-rent-or-sell/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/13/3-of-4-major-rental-car-outfits-wont-pledge-not-to-rent-or-sell/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/13/3-of-4-major-rental-car-outfits-wont-pledge-not-to-rent-or-sell/#commentsFiled under: , ,



In 2004, Raechel and Jackie Houck were killed when they were in a fiery accident in the 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser they had rented from Enterprise. The girls' mother, Cally Houck, sued Enterprise when it was discovered that their Chrysler was the subject of a recall to repair a power steering hose leak over a potential fire issue, yet the car hadn't been reparied before it was rented. The five-year trial concluded in 2010, with Enterprise admitting negligence, at which point it was ordered by a jury to pay $15 million in damages.

That hasn't stopped Cally Houck from campaigning. There is no law that requires rental car companies to repair recalled cars before they are rented or sold; companies have their own policies about how recalls are handled, but as one Enterprise manager testified during the Houck trial, getting cars repaired is balanced with getting cars rented. A report in the The Detroit News offered conflicting data about how quickly cars are repaired, but the real issue is that even if, as Enterprise says, "90 percent of recalled vehicles have completed or required inspections within 30 days," those cars might still be in the rental pool during those thirty days.

Senators Barbara Boxer (D) and Charles Schumer (D) are working to change that, having introduced rental car legislation last July called the Raechel and Jacqueline Houck Safe Rental Car Act, but nothing has come of it yet. Rental car companies were asked to sign a pledge not to rent or sell vehicles that hadn't been repaired, but only Hertz signed; neither Enterprise (which owns Enterprise, National and Alamo) nor Dollar/Thrifty would sign, with Enterprise writing its own letter saying that it wouldn't do so and Dollar/Thrifty saying it would fix cars "as soon as practically possible." Boxer has made it clear that she will continue pushing for federal legislation.

3 of 4 major rental car outfits won't pledge not to rent or sell recalled vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Jun 2012 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alamobarbara boxercar rentalcarol houckcharles schumercongressdollarenterprisehertzlegislationrental carrental car safety actrentalsthriftyWed, 13 Jun 2012 10:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20257304/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/06/13/3-of-4-major-rental-car-outfits-wont-pledge-not-to-rent-or-sell/20257304/article-detail.xml 20257304 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/enterprise-rent-a-car-shuttle_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/enterprise-rent-a-car-shuttle.jpg <![CDATA[States asking Congress for the right to add toll roads to close budget gaps]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/30/states-asking-congress-for-the-right-to-add-toll-roads-to-close/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/30/states-asking-congress-for-the-right-to-add-toll-roads-to-close/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/30/states-asking-congress-for-the-right-to-add-toll-roads-to-close/#commentsFiled under: ,

Toll road

Governments need to pay for things, and when traditional sources of revenue decline, other sources are found. To deal with the urgent needs of the highway infrastructure system and, if possible, add capacity, states need a lot more money than they currently have. Unable to get more from Congress, since Congress remains opposed to raising the gas tax, states are asking for the right to skip the gas-pump middleman and go straight to your wallet in the form of toll roads.

Beyond the recession, the reasons for busted highway and infrastructure budgets are manifold, from people driving less - and so less collected in gas taxes, to more fuel efficient cars - requiring less gas and so again, less in gas taxes, to roads and bridges that cost more to construct. A Congressional commission wrote that the U.S. needs to spend $137 billion more every single year to keep up with infrastructure needs; meanwhile less money is flowing to coffers and the federal highway fund is expected to be run down to zero in 2013.

Federal laws prohibit all but 15 states from collecting tolls on highways that receive federal funds, so states want Congress to change that provision. Trials have begun in three other states to test out tolls, including one that raises the toll until the toll lanes are sufficiently cleared, in order to keep the paying lanes from becoming congested as is known to happen regularly in some systems. But getting nationwide approval is a long way off. Oversight of a greatly expanded tolling industry would need to be sorted; the federal government already has questions about how state's latitude in spending toll revenue - for the specific toll road or general transportation needs, for instance - and where tolls might be placed, since "states also have a history of slapping tolls on roads traveled by a large share of out-of-state motorists."

On the other side, tolling agencies operate in more mysterious circumstances than many are comfortable with. Private companies and public-private partnerships aren't bound by the disclosure requirements of pure government agencies, which can lead to seemingly capricious toll hikes, huge sums of money going where it isn't meant and after-the-fact finger pointing that doesn't help toll-paying motorists. Not that any of that will change what's ultimately coming: it costs more to ply the nation's roads, and there's no doubt we're going to more pay for it. Somehow.

States asking Congress for the right to add toll roads to close budget gaps originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 May 2012 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>congressFederal Highway Administrationgas taxhighwayinfrastructureinfrastructure costsinfrastructure spendingtoll roadWed, 30 May 2012 08:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20245066/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/30/states-asking-congress-for-the-right-to-add-toll-roads-to-close/20245066/article-detail.xml 20245066 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/toll-road_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/toll-road.jpg <![CDATA[Senate OKs mandatory black boxes in cars for 2015, House expected to follow]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/14/senate-oks-mandatory-black-boxes-in-cars-for-2015-house-expecte/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/14/senate-oks-mandatory-black-boxes-in-cars-for-2015-house-expecte/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/14/senate-oks-mandatory-black-boxes-in-cars-for-2015-house-expecte/#commentsFiled under: ,

Event data recorder

It's been working its way through Congress for years, but according to Car and Driver, an event recorder mandate could soon become law. The Senate has already voted to adopt a transportation bill that would make the so-called "black boxes" mandatory by the 2015 model year. According to the report, the House of Representatives is also expected to pass a similar statute.

While the specifics of the bills are "vague" - to use C/D's words - they're also likely to change before becoming law. What probably won't, according to the report, is the standard data set that the Department of Transportation has set forth, 15 measurements that include direction of acceleration, throttle position, and time that the airbags fired, among others.

This raises the specter of government snooping, of course. The Senate version at least specifies that the data contained in the little electronic box is actually owned by the owner of the vehicle, according to the report. Johnny Law can still come around with a warrant to gain access to it, however, and first responders and paramedics would be able to do so without the warrant, provided they needed the information to respond to the emergency.

Senate OKs mandatory black boxes in cars for 2015, House expected to follow originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 May 2012 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>black boxescongressdata recorderdepartment of transportationevent data recorderevent data recordershouse of representativesprivacysafetysenatesenate bill 1813Mon, 14 May 2012 17:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20237789/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/14/senate-oks-mandatory-black-boxes-in-cars-for-2015-house-expecte/20237789/article-detail.xml 20237789 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/black-box-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/black-box-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Jeep Wrangler "Death Wobble" report prompts members of Congress to investigate]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/20/jeep-wrangler-death-wobble-report-prompts-members-of-congress/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/20/jeep-wrangler-death-wobble-report-prompts-members-of-congress/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/20/jeep-wrangler-death-wobble-report-prompts-members-of-congress/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



A local television news report on a so-called Jeep "death wobble" has led two members of the House of Representatives to write a letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration requesting more information about the situation, which they describe as a "serious safety issue." The three-page letter does not demand an investigation or recall, but asks the agency numerous questions regarding the problem and what is known about it. The original report aired on KGO-TV in San Francisco in February.

The two members of Congress describe the problem as "a powerful shaking of the steering wheel and front wheels after a driver hits road bumps at speed," affecting 2005-2010 model year Jeep Wranglers. The news report says NHTSA has received over 600 complaints about wobbling and vibrating in Jeep vehicles since 1995, "mostly Wranglers." Indeed, YouTube is rife with videos of shaking Wranglers, some of which we've gathered after the jump.

Chrysler issued the following statement regarding the accusations:

Chrysler Group vehicles meet or exceed every applicable government safety standard and have excellent safety records. All manufacturer vehicles equipped with a solid axle are susceptible to vibration and, if experienced, it can be corrected by performing minor maintenance items, such as properly balancing or changing the tires, or a front end alignment, installing a new steering dampener, or by tightening or replacing other loose or worn parts. In fact, most reported incidents - in all manufacturer vehicles equipped with or without a solid axle - are often linked to poorly installed or maintained after-market equipment, such as lift kits, oversized tires, etc. This is not a safety issue, and there are no injuries involving Chrysler Group vehicles related to this allegation. Indeed, the name you've given to this condition has no basis in fact.

While we're not so sure blaming the customer for improper maintenance is the right response, we will say that Wranglers and their antecedents are unique beasts, what with their solid axles and high centers of gravity. This is why they're so wonderful off road, and why those that choose to use them as daily drivers shouldn't expect them to behave exactly like every other vehicle they encounter on their commute. And of course if there is, indeed, a "serious safety issue" with the Wrangler, we would expect Chrysler to address it.

Click past the jump to read the full letter, watch the most recent news report, and see videos of Jeeps exhibiting the symptoms.

Continue reading Jeep Wrangler "Death Wobble" report prompts members of Congress to investigate

Jeep Wrangler "Death Wobble" report prompts members of Congress to investigate originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Mar 2012 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chryslercongressdeath wobblehouse of representativesjeepjeep death wobblenational highway trafiic safety administrationnhtsawranglerTue, 20 Mar 2012 17:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20197283/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/03/20/jeep-wrangler-death-wobble-report-prompts-members-of-congress/20197283/article-detail.xml 20197283 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/jeep-death-wobble-story-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/jeep-death-wobble-story-opt.jpg <![CDATA[GM launches ad campaign touting Chevy Volt safety [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/27/gm-launches-ad-campaign-touting-chevy-volt-safety-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/27/gm-launches-ad-campaign-touting-chevy-volt-safety-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/27/gm-launches-ad-campaign-touting-chevy-volt-safety-w-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

gm ceo akerson with chevy volt

General Motors has launched an advertising campaign touting the safety of the Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug-in electric vehicle, just as its CEO testified to Congress that a recent Volt fire that took place after a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration crash test would never occur under real-world circumstances, Bloomberg has reported.

GM CEO Dan Akerson (pictured) said in the campaign that he "couldn't be prouder" of the technology the company uses to produce the Volt, the wire service noted. The campaign includes full-page ads in 19 U.S. daily newspapers, including the The New York Times, as well as a television ad that will debut on News Corp's Fox News channel. GM has also released a new "normal" ad that calls the Volt "the car America had to build." You can watch the 30-second clip, which may appear in or around the Super Bowl, after the jump.

Akerson spoke Wednesday in a hearing with the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform's Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs, Stimulus Oversight and Government Spending. Both he and NHTSA Administrator David Strickland said the car was safe and defended NHTSA's handling of the situation against accusations from some Republican members of Congress who've been critical of the Obama Administration and its relationship with GM.

NHTSA said late last week that it finished its two-month investigation into the crash test that resulted in a fire three weeks after the fact last summer, and concluded that neither the Volt nor other electric vehicles pose more of a fire risk than conventional vehicles.

Continue reading GM launches ad campaign touting Chevy Volt safety [w/video]

GM launches ad campaign touting Chevy Volt safety [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 chevrolet voltakersoncampaignchevroletcongressdan akersonfirehamtramcksafetyvoltvolt advertisingvolt commercialvolt fireFri, 27 Jan 2012 11:33:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20157772/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/27/gm-launches-ad-campaign-touting-chevy-volt-safety-w-video/20157772/article-detail.xml 20157772 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/volthearing_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/volthearing.jpg <![CDATA[30-year-old corn ethanol subsidy nixed by Washington]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/27/30-year-old-corn-ethanol-subsidy-nixed-by-washington/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/27/30-year-old-corn-ethanol-subsidy-nixed-by-washington/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/27/30-year-old-corn-ethanol-subsidy-nixed-by-washington/#commentsFiled under: ,



Corn-based ethanol is a controversial fuel in its own right, and a longstanding federal subsidy for blending the biofuel with gasoline has been an additional source of consternation over the last 30 years. According to The Detroit News, Congress has wrapped up its work for 2011 without extending the incentive, a move that's drawn praise from environmental groups and taxpayer advocates.

Hand-in-hand with the discontinuation of the tax subsidy, an import tariff on ethanol imported from Brazil has also been cancelled, which opens the tap for a source of ethanol that doesn't have the reputation of being a dirty diversion of a food crop that corn-based ethanol carries. That means that while the blenders' tax credit is no more, the 2007 legislation calling for a significant increase in the use of renewable fuels is likely not going anywhere if the abundant ethanol produced from Brazil's sugarcane economy can be used instead.

The corn lobby is naturally not thrilled with the news, but it has put on a brave face. Tom Buis of Growth Energy, a group that supports and fosters the cause of domestic ethanol production, tells the DetNews, "without the tax credit, the ethanol industry will survive; it will continue to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, create jobs, and strengthen our economy." That statement isn't exactly at odds with the actions of Congress, since there's now about $6 billion per year that could be plowed into further renewable fuel research and development that would ensure corn ethanol is indeed a stepping stone fuel, as it was sold in the first place.

30-year-old corn ethanol subsidy nixed by Washington originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Dec 2011 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biofuelblenders subsidybrazilian ethanolcongresscorncorn ethanolcorn ethanol subsidycorn subsidyethanolTue, 27 Dec 2011 11:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20135554/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/27/30-year-old-corn-ethanol-subsidy-nixed-by-washington/20135554/article-detail.xml 20135554 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/snow-covered-corn-with-birds_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/snow-covered-corn-with-birds.jpg <![CDATA[House votes to end car czar's tenure]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/22/house-votes-to-end-car-czars-tenure/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/22/house-votes-to-end-car-czars-tenure/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/22/house-votes-to-end-car-czars-tenure/#commentsFiled under: ,

Ron Bloom car czar

The czars - all of them - are dead in the House of Representatives. Even though every "czar" position in government had already been vacated, the House passed a spending bill that officially eliminated the role and forbids the White House from naming more. In some cases, automotive and banking bailouts and executive pay especially, the czar himself was as polarizing as the job he had to do, and the enduring, transformative effects of their work can explain why politicians might target them.

However, just in case you hear of the role again or you read about a policy head who's a czar in all but name (and assuming the Senate passes the bill), you should know that you can't really get rid of all the czars since there's no precise definition of one. Most "czars" get that moniker from journalists even though they have proper, long-form titles. And if you take the position that a czar is an appointee who hasn't been confirmed by the Senate, then czars go all the way back to Woodrow Wilson and World War I, and all but five presidents since then have had czars in their administrations.

The vote eliminated nine of the 33 positions that fit that latter definition, the beloved empty seat of our former car czars being one of them. We have a feeling at least one of those czars will be making news for a while, though - Ron Bloom's been pretty quiet, but it looks like Steven Ratter still has a few things to get off his chest...

House votes to end car czar's tenure originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Dec 2011 08:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auto czarcar czarcongresshouse of representativesron bloomsenatesteven rattnerThu, 22 Dec 2011 08:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20130452/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/22/house-votes-to-end-car-czars-tenure/20130452/article-detail.xml 20130452 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/car-czar_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/car-czar.jpg <![CDATA[Senate committee passes overhaul of auto safety laws, includes hefty recall fines]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/15/senate-committee-passes-overhaul-of-auto-safety-laws-includes-h/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/15/senate-committee-passes-overhaul-of-auto-safety-laws-includes-h/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/15/senate-committee-passes-overhaul-of-auto-safety-laws-includes-h/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Driving up Capitol Hill

Congress is gearing up for a comprehensive overhaul of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, implementing some significant safety measures for automobiles along the way. The campaign, encouraged by safety advocates for over a year now, has gained significant ground as the Senate Commerce Committee endorsed a series of measures which it will seek to incorporate into a highway reauthorization bill due for approval early in the new year.

According to The Detroit News, measures approved by the committee include significantly stiffer fines for automakers delaying necessary recalls. Currently the maximum fine that can be imposed in such instances is $17.35 million, but the new regulations would up that to a whopping $250 million. Naturally, many automakers are opposing this particular measure, but they are, however, backing an additional regulation that would equip all new vehicles with 'black box' data recorders.

Automakers aren't the only ones targeted by the new measures, however, as the new regulations would also increase fines for using electronic devices (like mobile phones) while behind the wheel, and up the penalty tenfold for fraudulently rolling back a car's odometer.

The bill, sponsored by two Democrat senators, would take at least a year to be put into effect should it be voted into law.

Senate committee passes overhaul of auto safety laws, includes hefty recall fines originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>black boxcommerce committeecongressdata recordernational highway traffic safety administrationnhtsarecallrecall finerecallssenatesenate commerce committeeThu, 15 Dec 2011 16:19:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20128803/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/15/senate-committee-passes-overhaul-of-auto-safety-laws-includes-h/20128803/article-detail.xml 20128803 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/driving-capitol_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/driving-capitol.jpg <![CDATA[Fed proposes new fuel economy standard: 54.5 mpg by 2025]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/16/fed-proposes-new-fuel-economy-standard-54-5-mpg-by-2025/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/16/fed-proposes-new-fuel-economy-standard-54-5-mpg-by-2025/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/16/fed-proposes-new-fuel-economy-standard-54-5-mpg-by-2025/#commentsFiled under:

Sunoco gas station line

The U.S. Department of Transportation, Environmental Protection Agency and the White House have announced new fuel economy standards for model year 2017-2025 vehicles that will require cars and light trucks to yield a combined 54.5 mpg, as was proposed back in July.

According to the government, these new Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards will help save as much as 2.2 million barrels of oil per day by 2025, reducing our dependence on foreign oil and saving vehicle owners plenty of money at the pump. In fact, the fed says that a consumer purchasing a new car in 2025 will save $6,600 in fuel costs over the lifetime of that vehicle. Of course, the technologies required to achieve these new targets will make vehicles more expensive too, but the agencies claim that consumers will still save $4,400 over the life of a vehicle after factoring in those extra costs.

The new CAFE rules will follow current 2011-2016 standards that call for cars and light trucks to hit 34.1 mpg combined by 2016. The rule is backed by over 100 members of Congress, and if adopted will undergo a 90-day comment period before becoming official.

Some members of Congress believe that the rules haven't been evaluated thoroughly enough, however. Rep. Darrell Issa (R-California) has expressed concerns about the technical feasibility of the new standards. While most automakers have backed the 54.5 mpg goal, Volkswagen has been vocally against the plan in the past. While the new standards are strict, the plan does provide one single national standard for the industry to follow, unlike before where automakers met a minimum national standard as well as separate, tougher standards adopted by individual states led by California (the dreaded "patchwork" of regulation).

We're all for better fuel economy, though the tight time frame likely means that automakers will resort to costly hybrid and alt-fuel options over the next 18 years to boost their fuel economy figures, and those substantial research, development and production costs are sure to get passed on to car buyers. It will be interesting to watch how eager shoppers are to hop onto this new, greener bandwagon.

Continue reading Fed proposes new fuel economy standard: 54.5 mpg by 2025

Fed proposes new fuel economy standard: 54.5 mpg by 2025 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Nov 2011 16:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>54.554.5 mpgcafecafe standardscongresscorporate average fuel economydepartment of transportationenvironmental protection agencyepafuel economyfuel economy standardsmpgus department of transportationusdotWed, 16 Nov 2011 16:09:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20107715/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/11/16/fed-proposes-new-fuel-economy-standard-54-5-mpg-by-2025/20107715/article-detail.xml 20107715 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/gas-station-line-ap_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/gas-station-line-ap.jpg <![CDATA[Texas senator proposes end to federal auto loans]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/07/texas-senator-proposes-end-to-federal-auto-loans/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/07/texas-senator-proposes-end-to-federal-auto-loans/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/07/texas-senator-proposes-end-to-federal-auto-loans/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

nissan leaf plugin

Back in 2007 Congress, created the Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing federal loan program to allow the government to loan up to $25 billion to car manufacturers. The federal loans were created to help provide the money necessary to retool factories and build more fuel-efficient vehicles, but now some members of Congress are looking to end the program well short of the $25 billion mark.

The Detroit News reports that Texas Congressman Bill Flores has introduced a bill to end the loan program. The Republican representative from Texas says he is introducing the bill to "save additional billions in unused taxpayer dollars." Flores added that the funds should be provided for "an immediate need," adding that the dollars have been tied up in an "inefficient bureaucratic process that has made little progress in the past three years."

The bill is being supported by many Republicans, but Democrats, led by Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow and Representative Gary Peters, are against the bill.

So far, the funds have been difficult to come by, though Ford received $5.9 billion to support 13 projects and protect 33,000 jobs. Nissan received another $1.4 billion, while Fisker and Tesla received over $1 billion in combined loans. But while those loans went through, Chrysler has been waiting for a $3.5 billion loan for over 18 months and General Motors has decided not to request any of the funds.

The loan money has come under increased scrutiny after solar panel manufacturer Solyndra LLC collapsed after receiving $528 million in loans. The White House last week launched a 60-day review of the program, likely delaying more loans until 2012.

Texas senator proposes end to federal auto loans originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Nov 2011 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advanced technology vehicle manufacturingbill florescongressdebbie stabenowfederal loanfloresstabenowtexasMon, 07 Nov 2011 10:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20099813/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/11/07/texas-senator-proposes-end-to-federal-auto-loans/20099813/article-detail.xml 20099813 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/nissan-leaf-plugin_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/nissan-leaf-plugin.jpg <![CDATA[New trade agreement may mean more domestics sold in South Korea]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/14/new-trade-agreement-may-mean-more-domestics-sold-in-south-korea/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/14/new-trade-agreement-may-mean-more-domestics-sold-in-south-korea/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/14/new-trade-agreement-may-mean-more-domestics-sold-in-south-korea/#commentsFiled under: ,

President Obama welcomes President Lee Myung-bak of the Republic of Korea to the White House

In 2010, domestic automakers shipped about 7,500 vehicles to Korea, representing less than one percent of its auto market. To add insult to injury, well over half a million Korean cars were sold here. But that could all change, according to Ford CEO Alan Mulally, who told The Detroit News that a new trade agreement "will open new opportunities for Ford to reach even more Korean customers."

The U.S. - South Korea Trade Agreement was approved by Congress on October 12, while President Obama welcomed President Lee Myung-bak of the Republic of Korea to the White House yesterday.

The United Auto Workers also praised the move, which reduces both Korean and U.S. tariffs. South Korea will immediately cut its tax on U.S. cars from eight percent to four percent, and fully eliminate the tariff in the fifth year of the agreement. The U.S. will continue to tax Korean cars at 2.5 percent until the fifth year, when the tariff will be eliminated. Korea will also eliminate its 10-percent tariff on trucks immediately, while the 25-percent U.S. tariff on trucks will be phased out during the eighth to tenth years of the agreement.

Perhaps more importantly, the agreement also includes a provision to address differing safety and environmental standards. Domestic automakers will now be able to sell vehicles in Korea without certifying them to Korean regulations, under certain limitations. U.S. companies that sell fewer than 25,000 vehicles in Korea will be required to only meet U.S. safety regulations. And as long as American cars are within 19 percent of South Korean standards for fuel economy and emissions they will be considered legal for sale.

New trade agreement may mean more domestics sold in South Korea originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Oct 2011 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>congressfordkoreaobamasouth koreatarifftradeFri, 14 Oct 2011 08:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20081170/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/10/14/new-trade-agreement-may-mean-more-domestics-sold-in-south-korea/20081170/article-detail.xml 20081170 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/obama_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/obama.jpg <![CDATA[Senate reaches deal to avert government shutdown, preserves auto funds]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/27/senate-reaches-deal-to-avert-government-shutdown-preserves-auto/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/27/senate-reaches-deal-to-avert-government-shutdown-preserves-auto/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/27/senate-reaches-deal-to-avert-government-shutdown-preserves-auto/#commentsFiled under:

US Senate Building

The U.S. Senate approved a stop-gap funding measure to stave off a looming government shut down on Monday. At the same time, lawmakers have also managed to keep from cutting a special fund designed to help automakers retool their manufacturing centers for more fuel-efficient models. The Detroit News reports that Republicans in the House of Representatives wanted to cut funding from the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program to free up funds to direct toward the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Last week, FEMA announced that the agency only had enough funds to carry its relief efforts through Friday. The new stop-gap measure funds FEMA along with the rest of the federal government through November 18.

Democrats in Congress want to use federal funds to spur job creation, especially in the green sector, while Republicans argue that federal spending is already out of control and damaging the nation's economy. The two groups have repeatedly locked horns over the national budget in the past few months.

Officially, the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program has saved or created around 40,000 jobs since its creation in 2007. Of the $7.2 billion originally set aside for the fund, around $4 billion remains, according to The Detroit News. The money has been used for projects by both Ford and Nissan.

Senate reaches deal to avert government shutdown, preserves auto funds originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 17:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advanced technology vehicles manufacturing loan programcongressfederal emergency management agencyfemahouse of representativessenateTue, 27 Sep 2011 17:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20067717/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/09/27/senate-reaches-deal-to-avert-government-shutdown-preserves-auto/20067717/article-detail.xml 20067717 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/senate-building-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/senate-building-628.jpg <![CDATA[14 female U.S. senators call on Saudi Arabia to lift female driving ban]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/27/14-female-u-s-senators-call-on-saudi-arabia-to-lift-female-driv/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/27/14-female-u-s-senators-call-on-saudi-arabia-to-lift-female-driv/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/27/14-female-u-s-senators-call-on-saudi-arabia-to-lift-female-driv/#commentsFiled under: ,

Saudi women in cars

The relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia is a tenuous one. For better or worse, it usually involves the American government siding with the Saudi royal family - arguably at the expense of the people over which the latter rule. But this time, the roles have changed, with U.S. lawmakers taking up a cause championed by social activists on the street (quite literally) against the nation's historically conservative government and social mores.

The issue, as you may have been following recently, comes down to the right of Saudi women to drive in the Arabian kingdom. The fairer sex is banned from driving under the Wahhabi Islamic laws instituted in Saudi Arabia, prompting some women to call for change, risking imprisonment (or worse) for defying the edicts of the ruling family.

According to Bloomberg, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has been gently pushing the Saudi government to lift the ban, and has now been joined by a group of fourteen female American senators in supporting Saudi Women for Driving and their cause. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-California) is leading the charge from her position on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, calling for women's rights to be honored in a U.S. ally that has proven nothing if not resistant to change.

14 female U.S. senators call on Saudi Arabia to lift female driving ban originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Jul 2011 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arab womenbarbara boxercongressfemale senatorhillary clintonhuman rightsright to drivesaudi arabiasenatewomenwomens rightsWed, 27 Jul 2011 16:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20002397/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/07/27/14-female-u-s-senators-call-on-saudi-arabia-to-lift-female-driv/20002397/article-detail.xml 20002397 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/mideastsaudiwomendrivers.8d13f179c4b945fba97a8e9322d11cd0_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/mideastsaudiwomendrivers.8d13f179c4b945fba97a8e9322d11cd0.jpg <![CDATA[Video: Weiner stands up for <i>Car Talk</i> during congressional hearings on NPR funding]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/21/video-weiner-stands-up-for-car-talk-during-congressional/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/21/video-weiner-stands-up-for-car-talk-during-congressional/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/21/video-weiner-stands-up-for-car-talk-during-congressional/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

click and clack npr
Congress' Anthony Weiner on Car Talk - Click above to watch the video after the jump

U.S. congressman Anthony Weiner has had more than his fair share of rants during his time in the House of Representatives. And let's face it, the man seems to really enjoy grandstanding and shouting - or perhaps he just suffers from voice immodulation.

At a recent hearing concerning the de-funding of National Public Radio, the Democrat from New York took to the podium packing some serious decibels. The congressman didn't show up for rant duty empty-handed, either, carrying a poster of NPR Car Talk hosts Click and Clack. In his own unique tongue-in-cheek fashion, the New York congressman takes the stance that the longtime gearhead show is worthy of government funding. Hit the jump to watch the impassioned clip. Hat tip to Marcus!

[Source: YouTube via Capital Tonight]

Continue reading Video: Weiner stands up for Car Talk during congressional hearings on NPR funding

Video: Weiner stands up for Car Talk during congressional hearings on NPR funding originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Mar 2011 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anthony weinercar talkclick and clackcongresscongress nprnprnpr defundingnpr fundingMon, 21 Mar 2011 14:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19884907/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/03/21/video-weiner-stands-up-for-car-talk-during-congressional/19884907/article-detail.xml 19884907 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/npr-click-clack_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/npr-click-clack.jpg <![CDATA[Report: Fund oversight panel says jury still out on auto bailouts]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/17/report-fund-oversight-panel-says-jury-still-out-on-auto-bailout/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/17/report-fund-oversight-panel-says-jury-still-out-on-auto-bailout/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/17/report-fund-oversight-panel-says-jury-still-out-on-auto-bailout/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Capitol building from street view

The Congressional Oversight Panel charged with overseeing America's $700 billion federal bailout fund admits that it still isn't sure if the measure will save the auto industry in the long run, The Detroit News is reporting. As you'll recall, the $700 billion was divvied up between banks, insurers and General Motors and Chrysler, among others.

According to the panel, the Treasury had no specific goals for the $85 billion it gave automakers, so it will be hard to gauge the success of the loan in the long term. For now, it would seem that the bailout worked, with GM and Chrysler both posting their first profits in years in 2010.

Last year, GM cleared a $6.2 billion profit - its first year in the black since 2004. Chrysler also managed a profit, and Ford, who didn't take any money from the government, ratcheted a $6.6 billion profit.

As part of its final 236-page report, the oversight panel also reduced its estimate of how much money the bailout would cost taxpayers, from $40 billion to $17 billion.

[Source: The Detroit News | Image: Mark Wilson/Getty]

Report: Fund oversight panel says jury still out on auto bailouts originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Mar 2011 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auto taks forcebailoutchevroletchryslerchrysler bailoutcongresscongressional oversight panelfordgeneral motorsgm bailouttarpThu, 17 Mar 2011 10:40:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19881433/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/03/17/report-fund-oversight-panel-says-jury-still-out-on-auto-bailout/19881433/article-detail.xml 19881433 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/capitol-hill-street-view_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/capitol-hill-street-view.jpg <![CDATA[Automakers, suppliers drawing up 'conflict mineral' strategy?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/28/automakers-suppliers-drawing-up-conflict-mineral-strategy/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/28/automakers-suppliers-drawing-up-conflict-mineral-strategy/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/28/automakers-suppliers-drawing-up-conflict-mineral-strategy/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Conflict mineral mining

It's a problem that's not just confined to the diamond trade or a Kanye West song. Conflict Minerals are utilized in many industries and applications, including the automotive industry. The term "conflict" is applied to a mineral mined in nations where the mining is done under the condition of armed conflict and often the severe abuse of human rights. One of the most notable areas producing conflict minerals is the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The minerals mined include tantalum, tin, gold and tungsten, all of which are used within the automotive industry. With more advanced vehicles in the production pipeline (particularly hybrids and full-electrics with their larger battery needs), rare-earth mineral supplies are becoming more and more crucial.

According to Ward's Auto, automakers, as well as automotive parts suppliers, have been tasked with proposing methods of regulating conflict minerals and they are facing a January 31 deadline on the discussions. If a company finds that it's utilizing materials with a source originating in a conflict region, then it's required to disclose that. Even if a company can't trace the exact origin of materials they used, they will have to disclose that it's possible that conflict materials were used.

The Automotive Industry Action Group is researching ways to insure that non-conflict materials are utilized. However, this is far more difficult than simply looking back at the origin of a specific part. One has to go all the way back to the smelter who turned the source materials into the components necessary to create the parts.

[Source: WardsAuto.com | Image: Lionel Healing/AFP/Getty]

Automakers, suppliers drawing up 'conflict mineral' strategy? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Dec 2010 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aiagautomotive industry action groupconflict mineral strategyconflict mineralscongressdemocratic republic of the congorare-earthrare-earth mineralsTue, 28 Dec 2010 10:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19778368/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/12/28/automakers-suppliers-drawing-up-conflict-mineral-strategy/19778368/article-detail.xml 19778368 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/conflict--cropped_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/conflict--cropped.jpg <![CDATA[Report: Bill aimed at giving auto dealers more credit is signed into law]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/28/report-bill-aimed-at-giving-auto-dealers-more-credit-is-signed/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/28/report-bill-aimed-at-giving-auto-dealers-more-credit-is-signed/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/28/report-bill-aimed-at-giving-auto-dealers-more-credit-is-signed/#commentsFiled under:

The federal government is keeping up its effort to stimulate the economy, while the economy is keeping up its resistance to those efforts. The latest effort to prod spending comes in a bill that, among other things, increases the federal guarantee for small dealer floorplan loans from the Small Business Administration from $2 million to $5 million. Part of the bill would also reinstate fee waivers that ran out in May, meaning loan applicants could save more than $50,000 in fess alone on a $2 million loan.

Federal floorplan assistance has been around for a year, but banks haven't been receptive and some believe that raising the limit won't change that. It is customers who are needed to provide the real relief, and in the words of a former Federal Reserve vice chairman, "If the economy grows at one and a half percent, we're spitting in the wind because there's no demand."

The bill passed the House and Senate along party lines and President Obama signed it into law yesterday afternoon. This is expected to be the last jobs bill to leave Congress before the midterm elections in November.

[Source: Automotive News, sub. req. | Image: AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite]

Report: Bill aimed at giving auto dealers more credit is signed into law originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Sep 2010 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>congressdealersdealership loansdealershipsjobs billobama jobs billsbasmall businesssmall business administrationTue, 28 Sep 2010 09:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19648374/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/09/28/report-bill-aimed-at-giving-auto-dealers-more-credit-is-signed/19648374/article-detail.xml 19648374 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/obamasmallbusiness.1b18c9ddc8fc447e8b80dd51ccf712e8opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/obamasmallbusiness.1b18c9ddc8fc447e8b80dd51ccf712e8opt.jpg <![CDATA[Report: Senate pushes distracted driving issue back to the states]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/11/report-senate-pushes-distracted-driving-issue-back-to-the-state/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/11/report-senate-pushes-distracted-driving-issue-back-to-the-state/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/11/report-senate-pushes-distracted-driving-issue-back-to-the-state/#commentsFiled under: , ,



If you were waiting for the federal government to lay down the law on distracted driving, we've got bad news for you. New bipartisan legislation from Congress has effectively put the issue back into the hands of individual states. That means that instead of a single, nationwide ban on cell phone use while driving like most advocates were hoping for, we'll likely be stuck with the same status quo for a few more years. According to TheDetroitBureau.com, the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee has voted to approve a program that would provide grant incentives for states to enact their own legislation to curb distracted driving.

Thing is, the program is funded through existing programs, making it a half-hearted effort to address a real problem. TDB sites statistics that claim 16 percent of all traffic fatalities involve distracted driving, and that in 2008, 6,000 people died as a result of not paying attention to the road. So why didn't Congress take a stand and enact legislation that would limit highway funding unless states brought in laws to stop drivers from using their cell phones behind the wheel?

The short answer appears to be that no one in D.C. is willing to do anything that might upset a large selection of voters this close to November. So do us a favor and know your limits behind the wheel. Honestly, that call or text can wait.

[Source: TheDetroitBureau.com | Image: Getty]

Report: Senate pushes distracted driving issue back to the states originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Jun 2010 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>congressDistracted DrivingDistractedDrivinghands-freereckless drivingRecklessDrivingScience and Transportation CommitteesenateSenate Commercesenate commerce committeesenate committeeSenateCommerceSenateCommerceCommitteeSenateCommitteetextingtexting while drivingTextingWhileDrivingFri, 11 Jun 2010 14:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19512497/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/06/11/report-senate-pushes-distracted-driving-issue-back-to-the-state/19512497/article-detail.xml 19512497 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/distracted-driving-mascara-getty-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/distracted-driving-mascara-getty-630.jpg -1 2