Provisions of the auto safety bill

WASHINGTON (AP) — Provisions of the auto-safety bill passed by Congress and sent to President Clinton Wednesday:
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) must begin driving tests of vehicle rollover risk within two years and make the results for each vehicle available to consumers.
Vehicles must have a warning system to indicate when a tire is under-inflated within three years.
Automakers and their suppliers must report to NHTSA when they learn of deaths or injuries caused by a possible defect and when they recall products in foreign countries.
Manufacturers also must periodically report data on claims for personal injuries and property damage and other data that may help identify safety defects. Details about what data and how often it will be reported will be determined by NHTSA. The agency will also study the feasibility of collecting claims data from insurance companies within four months.
Auto manufacturers will have to replace defective products free of charge until they are 10 years old, instead of 8 years under current law. It also would increase tire manufacturers' obligation to provide free repairs for tires up to 5 years old, instead of 3 years old.
Civil penalties for violations of the law will increase from $1,100 to $5,000 per violation. The maximum penalty will increase from $925,000 to $15 million.
Automotive industry officials who withhold information on safety defects could be imprisoned for up to 15 years. Officials would not face prison time if they did not know the violation would lead to death or serious injury and they came forward with the information in a reasonable amount of time. NHTSA will determine the reasonable amount of time.
NHTSA will develop rules for improved tire labeling so it is easier for consumers to tell if a tire is being recalled.
No one may sell recalled vehicles or parts.
Tire manufacturers conducting a recall will have to develop a plan to prevent tires being resold.
NHTSA will update its 30-year-old tire standards by June 2002.
NHTSA will have two years to establish a rating program to notify consumers about the safety of child safety restraints. The agency will also have a year to study the effectiveness of booster seats for children.