What is the Government Doing About “Backing Up” Accidents?
Each year, more than 200 people are killed and about 17,000 people are injured by vehicles that are backing up. Many of these victims are children. 2012 was supposed to be the year that the federal government took action to provide new guidelines to car manufacturers about how to make passenger vehicles safer so that these specific types of accidents could be avoided.
In 2008, a federal law was passed that required the government to issue these guidelines. However, the guidance has been delayed and the deadlines have been extended. The delay is thought to be because the government is still researching and developing the guidelines. Financial considerations may also be a factor as the government may be hesitant to add more requirements to the auto industry which has struggled over the last few years.
However, as the delays continue more people are dying and more people are getting hurt. Our Pennsylvania accident and injury lawyers hope that appropriate actions are taken in 2013 to avoid these serious crashes that often end young lives and devastate families.