Statement of U.S. Secretary of Transportation Rodney E. Slater Concerning The Senate Commerce Committee Hearings on the Bridgestone/Firestone Recall

Topics:  Rodney E. Slater, Firestone

U.S. Department of Transportation
September 12, 2000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, September 12, 2000
Contact: Bill Adams
Tel.: (202) 366-5580
DOT 169-00

Almost four years ago, I appeared before the Senate Commerce Committee at my confirmation hearing and pledged to continue to make safety the top priority of the department, and the North Star by which we are guided and willing to be judged. Today, I was pleased to once again emphasize the importance of safety to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

I want to acknowledge the outstanding effort NHTSA, under the leadership of Dr. Sue Bailey, is making in this investigation, which continues on an urgent basis.

Today we requested an additional $9 million for the Defects Investigation Program. This additional funding would bring total funding for this program in FY 2001 to $20 million. The Clinton-Gore administration is committed to enhancing the current defects investigation program. The additional $9 million requested will be used to enhance testing, modernize information systems, improve the timeliness for processing of the increasing number of complaints, and enhance public awareness of NHTSA’s defects investigation program. These additional funds will complement the $1.8 million reallocated by NHTSA to expand the Bridgestone/Firestone investigation.

In addition, we are asking Congress for enhanced authority to require manufacturers to provide information to NHTSA about foreign recalls and customer satisfaction campaigns. Further, we are asking for authority to cooperate internationally by exchanging with other countries information about motor vehicle safety defects and enforcement of safety standards.

We are asking for authority to tighten reporting requirements for manufacturers by fixing loopholes, in effect requiring manufacturers to provide NHTSA all communications available to dealers and require original equipment manufacturers to report to NHTSA on safety defects.

Finally, we will continue to seek the enactment of our bills previously submitted to the Congress in March, such as an amendment to increase the civil penalty for violations, and to remove the ceiling on civil penalties, extend the period during which vehicles and tires are subject to recall, and require manufacturers to test their products before certifying their compliance with standards.

Our record on safety is good. Because of the efforts of this Administration, highway deaths and injury rates, commercial aircraft fatal accident rates, boating and rail fatalities as well as natural gas pipeline failures have all fallen. We look forward to continuing to work with Congress to continue this record. I especially want to recognize the commitment and efforts of Commerce Committee Chairman John McCain and Ranking Member Senator Hollings and the spirit of bipartisanship in which they offered to work to develop these and possible future legislative initiatives.