Talk:National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act/Sandbox

The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act is a 1996 U.S. federal law that allowed the federal government to set standards for automotive safety and created branches such as the _____. It was passed in response to the auto industry's terrible safety record which was brought to the public consciousness by Ralph Nader's book Unsafe at Any Speed.

Background
The primary impetus for the act was the significant failings of the automobile industry to address passenger safety. Unsafe at Any Speed, a book by consumer advocate Ralph Nader, brought to light many poor safety problems such as tire pressures that were chosen for passenger comfort at the expense of safety, or dashboard styling that made it harder to see out of the front windshield. It also criticized the auto industry's lobbying efforts to avoid regulation.

Passage
Public debate on the law, legislative debate on the law, votes on the law, amendments, etc.

Act
A good readable summary of what the law says, what it requires, what new departments of the federal government it creates, etc

Effects
Long term effects of the act, beyond the changes in government departments and regulations. E.g. motor vehicle accidents fell some percentage, airbags become standard, seatbelt laws, more awareness, subsequent laws that further enhance safety

* See also * References