Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. press release, November 2, 2000

MEWS FROM Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Second Congressional District of Maryland 1407 York Road, Suite 304 Lutherville, Maryland 21093 315 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Jill Homan November 2, 2000 202/225-306 1 Tire Safety Bill Enacted into Law WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability and Documentation Act (TREAD Act), H.R. 5164, was enacted into law late yesterday. This new law improves consumer protection measures between the auto industry, tire manufacturers and the federal government. The TREAD Act was introduced by Congressman Fred Upton (R-MI), Bob Ehrlich (MD-2), and a bipartisan group of lawmakers earlier this year in the wake of Congressional hearings surrounding the more than 100 deaths associated with the use of Firestone tires on sport utility vehicles. As a cosponsor of this legislation, Congressman Ehrlich used his position on the House Commerce Committee to work on amendments to the TREAD Act. “The Firestone tire and Ford Explorer vehicle crashes have brought to national attention the need to ensure that federal agencies such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are properly doing their job to spot widespread safety problems before there are more tragedies,” Congressman Ehrlich stated. The TREAD Act gives increased authority and funds to the NHTSA to collect data and investigate possible automobile defects before they result in injuries or deaths. The legislation: Requires auto and tire industry manufacturers to report information on safety recalls in foreign countries, U.S. claims data submitted to them about personal injury or property damage from alleged defects, and any other information NHTSA may require; Imposes criminal sanctions for industry employees who lie to the government or withhold information they are required to report under the bill; Increases the limit on civil penalties (from $925,000 to $15 million) for auto and tire manufacturers who violate federal motor vehicle safety standards;