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 selling the vehicle (as a color-coded certification report that indicated any serious matters). Similar to a window sticker for new vehicles, all used vehicles should likewise display an evaluation report by an independent and licensed inspector 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 there is a policy regarding automatic braking systems for new vehicles, it is 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 other decorations that may hide certain information, all vehicles 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 in identifying suspects that may only have limited camera angle of the vehicle in question. Also, tinted windows should be banned for the same reason.

Engine Safety (New Engine)

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

Engine Safety (Fuel Treatment)

   Oil companies should be required to add fuel stabilizers that extend the life of their gasoline to longer than a year before the product degrades. 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 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 fuel stabilizers that extend their product's life to a year or longer that prevents the possibility of engine failure while driving.