Congress OK's Transportation Dept. Budget and Side Crash Tests

09/18/96

Congress approved the Department of Transportations budget for fiscal 1997 and also approved an NHTSA request for $1.7 million for conducting frontal crash tests and $850,000 for side impact testing. They vetoed funds to increase CAFE standards which is a victory for car makers, as they want to sell highly profitable large cars, sport utilities, and trucks that are stifled under low corporate average fuel economy programs. The freeze at 27.5mpg stays thru 1997.

Bill Maloney -- The Auto Channel