The Struggle for Auto Safety

Autonomous Vehicle Technology: A Guide for Policymakers

“…In the 1970s, when air-bag regulations were initially being developed, manufacturers were not confident in the sensing capabilities of air bag-deployment sensors and, partly for this reason, resisted the mandate to include air bags. Despite the fact that even partially effective air bags could save many lives, they feared liability for the cases in which the air bags did not properly deploy (Mashaw and Harfst, 1990). A similar policy standoff could occur between lawmakers and manufacturers if regulatory requirements for AV technologies appear to place a greater liability burden on manufacturers.…”

“…From seatbelts, to air bags, to antilock brakes, automakers have often been reluctant to incorporate expensive new technology, even if it can save many lives (Mashaw and Harfst, 1990). Navigating the AV landscape makes implementation of these earlier safety improvements appear simple by comparison.…”

“…The first airbag patents were issued in the early 1950s; by the early 1970s, air-bag manufacturing companies existed and the technology was reasonably mature (Mashaw and Harfst, 1990). Yet they were in very few cars and it was not until 1999, nearly 20 years later, that air bags were ultimately required in all cars.…”

Sociology, Disasters, and Terrorism: Understanding Threats of the New Millennium

“…The efforts of government regulatory agencies to impose safety standards on industries raise fundamental questions about the relationship between the state and economy (Spitzer 1983). For example, the U.S. Department of Transportation, which is immediately relevant to the recent attacks, has a long (and in some sense failed) history of trying to force safety technologies on the automobile industry (Mashaw and Harfst 1990). Therefore, as we begin to reflect on social practices that make us vulnerable to terrorism, disasters, and other threats, we must consider the crucial role of both public and private sector organizations.…”

Health effects of arsenic in drinking water: Research needs

“…regulations). Mashaw and Harfst (1990) argue that the US Constitution clearly establishes the Congress and the courts as the decision-makers regarding national law. However, when Congress delegates power to set regulations to executive branch agencies, in effect it makes that agency a lawmaker.…”