Great editorial in the Times today calling on the Obama Administration to stop obstructing the long-delayed rule to prevent backover injuries, i.e. injuries from cars backing into people the drivers can't see — injuries that disproportionately befall young children. Representing a coalition of safety advocates and parents, we here at Public Citizen filed suit last week to require issuance of the rule.
Excoriating the Administration for the "inexcusable" delay, the Times concludes "the delays are political, not the result of procedural or technological
problems" but rather "an administration ploy to avoid
Republican charges of 'job killing' regulations, while placating the
auto industry, which opposes the rule as too expensive."
PLEASE EXPLAIN HOW SUCH A “BACKOVER RULE” WOULD WORK TO PREVENT THESE HORRORS (MOSTLY WITH BIG TRUCKS?? I AM A DRIVER AND CONSIDERING BUYING A NEWER CAR THAT WOULD HELP GUIDE ME WITH BACKING INTO A PARKING SPOT. I USED TO BE VERY GOOD AT IT, BUT NOW I HAVE PHYSICAL ISSUES WITH MY NECK THAT IS
GIVING ME MUCH DIFFICULTY WITH PARALLEL PARKING. THANKS.
I am a staunch Democrat, but now and then I learn about something this administration has done (or not done) and I am deeply embarrassed. My first thought is often “This is something Cheney would have done,” something some folks would call “smart” but most would call “wrong.”