NHTSA proposes amendments to highway safety program guidelines

Recently, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) published in the Federal Register amendments to the Highway Safety Program Guidelines for states. Federal law requires the secretary of transportation to promulgate uniform guidelines for state highway safety programs.

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The proposed NHTSA Highway Safety Program Guidelines Amendments include recommendations for periodic motor vehicle inspection (PMVI). NHTSA’s proposal calls for every state to have a periodic vehicle inspection program and require vehicle owners to correct these conditions in order to reduce the number of accidents.

According to the proposed guidelines, an inspection program would provide, at a minimum, that:

•  Every vehicle registered in the state is inspected at the time of initial registration and on a periodic basis thereafter as determined by the state based on evidence of the effectiveness of inspection programs.

•  The inspection is performed by competent personnel specifically trained to perform their duties and certified by the state.

•  The inspection covers systems, subsystems and components

•  Each inspection station maintains records in a form specified by the state.

•  The state publishes summaries of records of all inspection stations at least annually, including tabulations by make and model of vehicle.

•  The program should be periodically evaluated by the state, and NHTSA should be provided with an evaluation summary.

ASA supports state PMVI programs, as they keep unsafe cars off the road and protect unsuspecting drivers and passengers at risk. Comments on NHTSA’s proposed PMVI amendments must be received by July 20, 2012.

To view the full text of the Federal Register guidelines amendments, please visit ASA’s legislative website at www.TakingTheHill.com.

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