Interpretation ID: aiam1442
Jr.
House of Representatives
Washington
DC 20515;
Dear Mr. Thompson: This responds to your March 19, 1974, request for information in behal of Mr. Robert J. Jones, concerning the commercial offer he received for a device that would defeat the ignition interlock device found on 1974 model passenger cars.; The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 authorize the issuance of motor vehicle safety standards, one of which requires occupant crash protection, one aspect of which is the ignition interlock system. Section 108(a)(1) of the Act prohibits the sale, offer for sale, introduction into interstate commerce, or the importation of any motor vehicle which does not conform to the standards. Our regulatory authority over new vehicles ends, however, with the first purchase of the vehicle in good faith for purposes other than resale. While we can prohibit arrangements between a dealer and a purchaser to disconnect the interlock, where they are part of the sales transaction, we have no remedy against arrangements to defeat the safety features made after the sales transaction.; Nevertheless, while selling devices intended to defeat safety equipmen may be legal, we consider such practices reprehensible since they increase the chances of death and injury on the highways. We are considering a variety of remedies for the situation reported by Mr. Jones.; Sincerely, Lawrence R. Schneider, Chief Counsel