The United States Lags Behind Other Nations in Highway Safety

There is no doubt about it, Ralph Nader can be credited with the safety of American Highways, and the survival of many crash victims.

The Car Auto Safety (CAS), which Ralph Nader lobbied to create, identifies many successes to improve safety while travelling our highways.

• "Lemon laws" enacted in all 50 states. Cars that repeatedly fail to meet certain standards of quality and performance are called lemons. The federal lemon law (the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act) protects citizens of all states.

• State laws requiring auto manufacturers to disclose "hidden" warranties to consumers

• Firestone recalled over 7 million Firestone 500 tires, one of the largest tire recall due to tread separation at higher speeds

• Exposure of a potentially lethal gas tank design in General Motors pickup trucks

• Recall of the Ford Pinto due to its dangerous gas tank design

• Improved U.S. highway safety standards administered by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

However, since the early 80’s, there have not been many regulations concerning automobile safety. The United States now ranks about 17 compared to other countries and highway safety.

Still, the United States over-all mortality is not as high as it was in the 60’s in relation to the miles the average American drives annually. Yet, when car accidents ranks as one of the leading causes of death, behind cancer and heart disease; you know we have a long way to go. The NHTSA needs to listen to its own motto: Save lives, prevent injuries, reduce vehicle-related crashes. Is it time for another Ralph Nader?