NHTSA - Masses Of Auto Safety Data Now Off-Limits To Public - FOIA No Use

[hatrack]

DETROIT — "The federal agency that oversees auto safety has decided — based largely on arguments from automakers and their Washington, D.C., lobbyists — that reams of data relating to unsafe automobiles or defective parts will not be available to the public. Specifically, the government has banned the release of car and truck warranty-claims information, customer complaints and early warning reports about defects from dealers, automakers and rental-car companies, even if media outlets or other groups push for it under the Freedom of Information Act.

The rule, completed earlier this year, is a two-paragraph decision in the Federal Register, which runs hundreds of pages each day.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration decision was cited Saturday in a front-page New York Times story as an example of regulatory actions by the Bush administration to aid business or industry.

One consumer-advocacy group has sued the federal government, arguing this information should be made public and calling the decision a "paternalistic ruling that basically argues consumers are stupid and would be easily misled." The federal government and automakers such as General Motors say this auto-safety data should not be made public for two main reasons: The information would give competitors too much information, and it would be of little use to consumers, who might be overwhelmed or confused by all the data."

EDIT

[Sporadicus]

1. They're Taking Orders for the New, Improved 2006 'Deathmobile'

Once again, corporate profits take precedence over human lives. The * administration and the automakers can both go straight to hell!

[Soloflecks]

2. Those aren't good reasons!

There should be a damn good reason why information that affects the public interest is withheld. Disgraceful. I hope the advocacy group wins.

[Old and In the Way]

3. The Contract on America, part # 3496

Why do Republicans hate Americans so much?

[phantom power]

4. Aren't these the same data used to compile consumer reports?

Like the "Consumer Reports" reliability charts, etc?

[AZCat]

5. I love it when my government calls me stupid

"The information...would be of little use to consumers, who might be overwhelmed or confused by all the data."

Why don't they just go ahead and tell me what to buy, where to work, and how to vote, since I clearly can't figure anything out for myself!

Baaaa, baaaa, baaaa! (that's me baa-ing like a sheep)