U.S. senators want automakers to make accident death info more accessible
by The Associated Press
Pressure on GM, NHTSA continues in wake of deadly ignition switch recall scandal
WASHINGTON—Congress is increasingly putting the pressure on General Motors Co. (GM) and the government’s auto safety agency over a delayed recall of small cars.
Democratic Sens. Edward Markey of Massachusetts and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut proposed requiring automakers to make information on accident deaths more accessible to consumers.
Last month, GM recalled 1.6 million small cars with a defective ignition switch that is linked to at least 31 accidents 12 deaths.
Also this week, Sen. Dean Heller (R-Nev.) wrote a letter asking the acting head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to explain why the cars weren’t investigated.
Two congressional committees are investigating the recall delay.
GM has acknowledged it took too long to notify owners of the ignition switch problem.
The safety agency reviewed the cars twice but declined to launch an investigation.
