A bill to amend various provisions of law to provide for more effective highway and motor vehicle safety regulations and enforcement, and for other purposes.
Highway Safety Act of 1983 - Title I: Automotive Safety Improvement Act of 1983 - Requires the Secretary of Transportation to reinstate the Federal bumper standard as it existed on January 1, 1982. Declares that the Secretary is not prohibited from imposing a standard more strict than the standard to be reinstated.
Directs the Secretary of Transportation to reopen rulemaking proceedings to implement the Federal motor vehicle safety standard on side impact protection. Requires the issuance of final regulations on such standard not later than one year after enactment of this Act.
Amends the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 to require certain manufacturers of passenger automobiles that annually sell a specified number of automobiles in the United States, to offer for sale automatic safety airbags on their largest-selling automobile lines, beginning with the 1986 model year.
Directs the Secretary to amend a specified safety standard to require automobile manufacturers to install antilacerative windshields in all passenger automobiles manufactured on or after September 1, 1984.
Requires the Secretary to report to Congress not later than one year after enactment of this Act, on the results of a study of crash protection for truck occupants, including potential performance standards for truck manufacturers. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984 and 1985 for such study.
Directs the Secretary to amend a specified safety standard to require manufacturers to equip passenger automobiles manufactured on or after September 1, 1984, with a high-mounted rear stoplamp.
Requires the Secretary to promulgate a safety standard establishing passenger automobile crashworthiness rating and labeling requirements for such automobiles manufactured on or after September 1, 1984. Directs the Secretary to require automobile dealers to make available to prospective purchasers data comparing the crashworthiness of passenger automobiles not later than one year after enactment of this Act.
Directs the Secretary to study the effectiveness of existing regulations on emergency warning devices required to be carried on buses, trucks, truck tractors, and motor-driven vehicles which are involved in emergency situations. Requires such study to investigate the potential costs and benefits of requiring passenger automobile operators to carry emergency warning devices and to examine the benefits of warning devices in enhancing highway safety. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984 for such study.
Allows the import of used vehicles: (1) for one-time only by an individual for personal use when the vehicle is five or more years old; or (2) in extreme hardship cases.
Title II: Motor Vehicle Passenger Protection Act of 1983 - Includes under the alcohol traffic safety program traffic safety problems resulting from persons driving under the influence of controlled substances. Directs the Secretary to establish criteria for rehabilitation and treatment programs for persons arrested and convicted of driving while under the influence of controlled substances.
Directs the Secretary to make grants to a State to enforce alcohol traffic safety programs if such State has in effect a law which: (1) sets the minimum legal drinking age at 21 years of age; and (2) provides a penalty for certain persons who supply alcoholic beverages to individuals under 21 years of age.
Directs the Secretary to make grants to States which implement accident-reduction projects using computerized safety recordkeeping systems.
Directs the Secretary to make grants to States which have in effect a law requiring the use of child safety seats which meet the requirements of a specified safety standard.
Authorizes appropriations out of the Highway Trust Fund for such grant programs for FY 1984 through 1986.
Directs the Secretary to establish a nationwide blood alcohol content standard for determination of unlawful operation of a motor vehicle. Authorizes States to establish a standard lower than the Federal standard. Requires the Secretary to promulgate regulations for the seizure and sale of motor vehicles of persons convicted of a second violation of the applicable standard.
Establishes a fund in each State to compensate uninsured victims of persons driving while under the influence of alcohol, or their estates. Requires the deposit in such funds of: (1) proceeds from the sale of seized vehicles; (2) such moneys as authorized by Congress or the Secretary; and (3) State tax revenues on the sale of publicly-served alcoholic beverages. Authorizes appropriations as necessary. Requires the Secretary to reserve 15 percent of a State's allocation of Federal highway funds until such State certifies that it has in effect a statute or program consistent with the national blood alcohol content standard.
Directs the appropriate congressional committees to conduct oversight hearings on the implementation of this title, at least annually for the first three years after enactment of this Act.
Title III: Motor Carrier Safety Act of 1983 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish rules, regulations, standards, and orders to assure that: (1) commercial motor vehicles are safely maintained, equipped, loaded, and operated; (2) the responsibilities imposed upon drivers of commercial motor vehicles do not impair such drivers' ability to operate safely; (3) the physical condition of such drivers is adequate to enable them to drive safely; and (4) the operation of commercial motor vehicles does not create deleterious effects on the physical condition of such drivers.
Requires the Secretary and the Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, to undertake a study of health hazards to which employees engaged in the operation of commercial motor vehicles are exposed, and to develop information to enable such employees to operate free from recognized hazards. Requires that such study be submitted to Congress within one year after enactment of this Act.
Directs the Secretary, before prescribing or revising requirements for motor carrier qualifications, hours of service, safety, and equipment standards, to consider the costs and benefits of such requirements.
Requires agents of the Secretary, in carrying out the Secretary's inspection and investigation functions, to consult with employers and employees and their authorized representatives, and offer such persons the right of accompaniment.
Sets forth the Secretary's duty to investigate nonfrivolous complaints and protect the identities of complainants.
Sets forth penalties for violations of safety standards promulgated under this title.
Removes the authority of the Secretary to initiate litigation related to highway safety. Vests such authority in the Attorney General.
Allows States to adopt more stringent safety rules if such rules are not inconsistent with Federal rules.
Requires each commercial motor vehicle to pass an annual inspection of its safety equipment. Directs the Secretary to establish Federal standards for such equipment and a procedure for State implementation of such inspections.
Directs the Secretary to establish a procedure to determine the safety fitness of persons seeking operating authority as motor carriers. Requires the submission of such procedure to Congress not later than one year after enactment of this Act.
Directs the Secretary to conduct a study of safety characteristics of heavy trucks, including an examination of their handling, braking, stability, and crashworthiness. Authorizes appropriations for FY l1984 and 1985 for such study.
Directs the appropriate congressional committees to conduct periodic oversight hearings on the effects of this title for the first three years after enactment of this Act.
For Further Action See H.R.4616 For Sec 205.
Introduced in Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.
Committee on Commerce. Hearings held on Title II.
Committee on Commerce. Hearings held on Title III.
Committee on Commerce. Hearings concluded. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 98-384.
Committee on Commerce. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Committee on Commerce. Reported to Senate by Senator Packwood with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 98-283. Additional views filed.
Committee on Commerce. Reported to Senate by Senator Packwood with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 98-283. Additional views filed.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 496.
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