Critics say the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) didn't go far enough with its proposal to toughen its roof crush standards. "NHTSA is merely rolling over when people need its help the most," said Public Citizen President Joan Claybrook.
Safety advocates have repeatedly pressured NHTSA to toughen the roof strength standard to reduce deaths and injuries in rollover crashes. They also argue for testing standards that more closely reflect events that occur during an actual rollover.
The proposed new government standard would extend roof strength requirements to all vehicles weighing up to 10,000 pounds, thus covering SUVs and other light trucks for the first time. The current standard only applies to vehicles up to 6,000 pounds.
Critics immediately said the rule, under consideration since 1991, does not require enough testing and roof strengthening to prevent injuries and fatalities. Public Citizen's Claybrook, a former administrator of NHTSA, called the proposed rules "very insufficient" and said they don't do nearly enough to protect drivers and passengers.
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