In response to Toyota's troubles, the executive and legislative branches have placed automobile safety on their relative agendas.
In the executive, the Secretary of Transportation said that Toyota's response to the crisis would be monitored more carefully, the effective agency is the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
In the legislature, bills are being crafted in the House Energy and Commerce and Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committees. The bill is called the The Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 2010. The car lobby has come out against the bill: "seizing on a provision that would empower the top U.S. car regulator to order a recall when an "imminent hazard" is present."
Their efforts is being spearheaded by "top car-industry lobbyist (and former member of Congress - think "revolving door") Dave McCurdy, president of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers."
For more information on the legislation:
- S.3302: Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 2010 - U.S. Congress ...
- WashingtonWatch.com - S. 3302, The Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 2010
- Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 2010, Section by Section
- Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 2010 Unveiled The Truth About Cars