Schakowsky’s Statement on Car Safety and Kids; Lack of NHTSA Rule

WASHINGTON, DC (February 28, 2011) — Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) made the following statement on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's decision not to move forward with a safety rule for power windows in cars. Numerous injuries to children and also deaths have resulted from certain power windows' lack of an auto-reverse mechanism. The Congresswoman has worked for years to strengthen the safety mandate to prevent harm and tragedy.

"Power windows without auto-reverse systems are a serious safety concern and have killed and injured too many children. There is no reason that vehicles coming off the production line should have windows that are a safety risk — and potentially fatal — to kids. The systems that will prevent these devastating deaths are not expensive; one option considered by NHTSA cost just $6 a window. The cost for four windows per car would be less than a tank of gas.

"NHTSA's failure to move forward with a rule that would effectively address this problem is disappointing. However, it is preferable to adopting the proposed rule that would have accomplished nothing — it would not have saved one life or prevented a single injury.

"I will continue to work with NHTSA and my colleagues in Congress to ensure that the agency has the information and resources it needs to move forward with a strong standard in the future....

###