Automotive Safety

Used Car Sales

   Previously owned vehicles may have several undisclosed mechanical issues that may pose a risk to public safety (e.g., rusted undercarriage, faulty brakes, drivetrain issues, etc.). This may be preventable if there was a mandatory certification process where used vehicles were required to disclose any safety issues prior to the sale of the vehicle (as a color-coded certification report). Similar to a window sticker for new vehicles, all used vehicles should display an evaluation report by an independent and licensed inspector that is filed with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, or the title won't transfer to the new owner.

Senior Citizens

   In order to reduce the number of accidents involving senior citizens that were unable to stop their vehicle to avoid a collision, all elderly drivers (age 60+) should be required to operate vehicles with an automatic emergency braking system. That way, the vehicle's collision system would automatically apply the brakes in order to avoid a collision for greater public safety. Even though policies exist regarding automatic braking systems for new vehicles, they are currently not a requirement for elderly drivers.

Driving While Impaired

   Those convicted of impaired driving should be required to have alcohol ignition interlock devices installed in their vehicles. These are portable breathalyzers that prevent the vehicle from starting if the driver's blood alcohol level exceeds a safe limit. Some areas require this limitation, while others don't, and some only require it for repeat offenders. This inconsistency causes a public safety concern that should be corrected as a federal mandate.

Vehicle Identification

   Since some license plates may have rust or decorations like plastic coverings that may make the plate unreadable, all vehicle registrations should be required to have a new license plate every year (not stickers) on both the front and rear of the vehicle. This will aid law enforcement that may only have limited camera angle of the vehicle in question. Also, tinted windows should be banned for the same reason for the sake of public safety.

Engine Safety (New Engine)

   Auto manufacturers should be required to treat new engines with an engine block sealer to repair microscopic cracks and defects that may have occurred during the manufacturing process. This low-cost measure not only will improve the fuel efficiency and performance of the vehicle, but also may reduce the chance of engine failure that poses a risk to the consumer.

Engine Safety (Fuel Treatment)

   Oil companies should be required to add fuel stabilizers to gasoline that extends its life to a year or more before it may degrade. The reason why is that the fuel from seldomly used gas stations may already be decomposing by the time that it is purchased by consumers, making it a defective product.

   Adding partially decomposed fuel with the stale gasoline already in a vehicle's tank can cause gum deposits and varnish in the fuel line (which is a possible safety hazard). To prevent this and to protect the consumer from purchasing a defective product, oil companies should be required to add low-cost fuel stabilizers that extend their product's life to a year or longer that prevents the possibility of engine failure while driving.