By Robert L. Redding, Jr.
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) recently completed an exhaustive study of current state safety inspection and maintenance (I/M) programs. Several very distressing results were quite evident in the analysis:
- Less than half of the states have safety I/M programs;
- Many of the programs in existence are not very stringent;
- Safety I/M programs continue to be threatened by legislative; action in key states such as Missouri and North Carolina;
- There are no concerted efforts by government or private sector; advocates to establish safety I/M programs in states without, programs or to enhance existing I/M programs;
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is reluctant to promote or protect safety I/M.
ASA contacted safety inspection program administrators in all 50 states. ASA also consulted with private sector organizations involved in automotive safety. The purpose of the analysis was two-fold. First, establish a baseline to build a public policy debate. Second, allow advocates of safety I/M to use the report to develop a long-term I/M strategy plan.
For too long, aftermarket trade associations have been locked into the automotive emissions debate. First, we were engulfed in the centralized versus decentralized testing controversy. Hopefully, with the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) commitment to be flexible in considering the next round of state implementation plans, we will avoid much of this problem.
Second is the aftermarket's infatuation with onboard diagnostics (OBD II) information availability. It has consumed the aftermarket's tangible and intangible resources. Repairers have legislative and regulatory protections for information. Our interest should lie solely in enforcement and monitoring. It is time for the industry to move to serious areas of concern such as safety I/M.
Unfortunately, the confusion over emission testing produced a policy backlash against safety I/M. Far too many legislators are aware of the merits of star programs such as those conducted in Pennsylvania and Missouri. The industry has to prioritize, protect and promote these stronger safety I/M programs.
In recent testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives Transportation Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee, the administrator of NHTSA failed to even mention safety I/M. The president and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Rodney Slater refused to consider safety I/M as a major component of their proposed automotive safety package to be included in the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA). This has to be reversed.
What has to occur next? ASA has contacted industry safety I/M proponents as well as other major members of the aftermarket to assist in developing a long-term strategy for advancing safety I/M.
ASA joined the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) in requesting that NHTSA promote safety inspection and maintenance. ASA believes that to advocate safety I/M programs effectively, we need a credible national study by NHTSA on I/M. At present, advocates have only a 1990 study by the Government Accounting Office to use in their advocacy efforts. New data is critical in promoting I/M.
ASA will continue to promote I/M as a key component in automotive safety. The industry should prioritize I/M during 1998. Clearly this project will take years to implement, but we must begin now to better educate policymakers on this critical issue.
ASA, AAMVA Letter to NHTSA
The following letter was sent to Ricardo Martinez, administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, from ASA President G.W. "Bud" Merwin III and AAMVA President and CEO John H. Strandquist on March 3. The letter addresses the effectiveness of periodic motor vehicle inspection programs and requests NHTSA's support of these programs.
Dear Dr. Martinez:
We understand that on March 4, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will testify before the Transportation Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee about the importance of programs to improve highway safety, including air bags, child safety seats, and seat belts. The Automotive Service Association and the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators believe that NHTSA should promote one important program that is proven to reduce accident rates: periodic motor vehicle inspection. We encourage NHTSA to emphasize the importance of motor vehicle safety inspection programs and to request that the Committee provide the necessary funds to ensure that the vehicles op-
erating on America's roads are safe. The Automotive Service Association is the nation's oldest and largest trade association representing all segments of the independent automotive repair industry including collision, mechanical, and transmission repair facilities. The American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators represents the state and provincial officials in the United States and Canada who are responsible for the administration and enforcement of laws pertaining to the motor vehicle and its use.
Every 13 minutes an American dies in an automobile related accident - over 40,000 every year. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for every age from 6 through 27 years. The estimated annual economic costs of these occurrences is over $137 million including property loss, health care costs, and loss of productivity.
One of the most effective ways to reduce the number of vehicle accidents is to ensure that motor vehicle safety components are functioning properly. Studies have shown that vehicles not inspected for safety are more likely to be involved in accidents than those that are.
In 1990 the Government Accounting Office concluded that NHTSA should resume its support of state periodic inspection programs. The report found that states with annual vehicle safety inspection programs had accident rates that were 17 percent lower than those without inspections. The evidence is much too compelling to ignore - we must act now to reduce fatalities on American roads.
It is imperative that NHTSA support motor vehicle safety inspection programs. This includes providing states with financial support to maintain existing programs and establishing them in states without programs.
Missouri has a safety inspection program that many feel is a national model. A recent study by the Missouri State Highway Patrol has concluded that the program was effective at reducing the number of accidents caused by problems with safety equipment and systems. Yet legislation is being considered in Missouri to repeal the program and replace it with one that would require inspections every three years. The Missouri program has been highly successful and it would be a mistake to repeal it.
The American Association for Motor Vehicle Administrators has taken two key actions to support periodic motor vehicle inspection (PMVI) programs. In August, we will publish the revised and expanded Vehicle Inspection Handbook, with recommended inspection procedures and standards for vehicles in the United States and Canada. The 1995 edition was published with the cooperation of NHTSA. One of the Handbook's five sections covers rebuilt salvage vehicles. This section could serve as the national uniform standard called for in the Final Report of the Motor Vehicle Titling, Registration, and Salvage Advisory Committee in order to protect consumers and prevent fraud.
Another important effort to support inspection programs is the establishment of AAMVA's PMVI Work Group. Our kick-off meeting will take place on March 7, and NHTSA has been invited to attend. Our objectives include developing a package of materials explaining the benefits of PMVI to encourage maintenance and expansion of PMVI programs.
NHTSA can also play an important role in encouraging state safety inspection programs. First, NHTSA could make the existing studies on the benefits of safety inspection more widely available. NHTSA could also commission a new study on the benefits of the programs. A national study that examined the cost and
the benefits of the program would be especially helpful to groups supporting periodic motor vehicle inspections.
NHTSA's role is to be an advocate for safety on America's roads. We know that safety inspection programs reduce accidents. By simply adopting and publicizing a statement of support for these programs, we could reduce resistance to programs currently in place. We could also encourage those states without inspection programs to adopt them. This will require a well-publicized NHTSA initiative. You have the authority and the staff to conduct such a campaign.
By supporting safety inspection programs, NHTSA could play a greater role in reducing the number of accidents on American highways. To discuss this further, please call George W. Merwin, President, Automotive Service Association at (800) 272-7467, or John Strandquist, President and CEO, American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, at (703) 522-4200.
As of time of publication, no formal reply to this letter had been made by NHTSA to ASA.
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Bob Redding is the Automotive Service Association's Washington, D.C., representative. He is a member of several federal and state advisory committees involved in the automotive industry.
For more information about the legislative activities of ASA, visit www.TakingTheHill.com.
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