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Dealing with Road Rash

R. Desikan

Recently, I came across a new concept in consumer safety -- highway safety. Its role in the administration of traffic in the United States is worth looking at.

The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the US is responsible for reducing deaths, injuries and economic losses resulting from motor vehicle crashes. It investigates safety defects in motor vehicles, sets and enforces fue l-economy standards, helps States and local communities reduce the threat of drunken drivers, promotes the use of safety belts, child safety seats and airbags, investigates odometer fraud,

establishes and enforces vehicle anti-theft regulations and informs consumers on motor vehicle safety.

NHTSA also conducts research on driver behaviour and traffic safety.

India has one of the highest accident rates in the world. The safety precautions enforced by the NHTSA should inspire us to lobby for a similar body in our country.

I am not sure how many people know that, often, newly-manufactured cars have odometers that show a higher mileage than what it is in reality. When I raised this issue with one of the manufacturers, all I got for a reply was deafening silenc e.

Recently, I bought a new car. I found a lot of problems in the car which were apparently overlooked at the time of manufacture. What is the quality of testing done by Government agencies? Why are some of the so-called imported technology cars, wh ich have been received well by us, rejected even in their parent countries? Are we allowing ourselves to become the dumping ground for the world's manufacturers? We seem to accept goods from overseas without even inquiring about them. Li ttle do we question why those goods are introduced in our market.

Recently, 1.5 million Firestone tyres were withdrawn from the US market under advice from NHTSA. Have we withdrawn even one of the unsafe products flooding our markets? Have we ever pulled up any manufacture for producing an unsafe product?

I have been lobbying hard for the establishment of a Consumer Product Safety Commission. It looks like I may have to seek redressal from the Supreme Court of India.

We need an organisation for national highway safety in our country. No car or vehicle should be allowed on the road unless complete safety is ensured.

It is time we realised the need for a body to take care of the safety requirements of the public. We must also ensure that safety regulations are followed. The author is former Chairman, Federation of Consumer Organisations, Tamil Na du.

He can be reached at rdesikan@vsnl.com