Interpretation ID: nht75-3.35

DATE: 09/03/75

FROM: AUTHOR UNAVAILABLE; W. T. Coleman, Jr.; NHTSA

TO: Hon. Bob Packwood - U.S. Senate

TITLE: FMVSS INTERPRETATION

TEXT: Thank you for your letter of August 8, 1975, forwarding a copy of a letter to me from Mr. William G. White, President of Consolidated Freightways Corporation, and asking for early consideration of Mr. White's request. In that letter, Mr. White asks that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration require reports from all truck operators and antilock system manufacturers on any malfunction they experience with antilock systems.

I have given full consideration to the important matter of collecting sufficient data on the reliability of antilock systems used on production vehicles, and I have responded to Mr. White with my conclusions. A copy of that response is enclosed to provide you with a complete explanation of my decision.

SINCERELY,

United States Senate COMMITTEE ON BANKING, HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

August 8, 1975

Honorable William T. Coleman, Jr. The Secretary of Transportation

I am attaching a copy of a letter from William White, Chairman of the Board of Consolidated Freightways, Inc. I am most interested in seeing that Mr. White's request is honored and would appreciate your early consideration of this matter. Could you please advise me of your ultimate decision.

As you may know, I have been following this matter regarding FMVSS 121 for some time. I have expressed my concern to the Administration over the hardships caused by this regulation and am awaiting their response at this time.

BOB PACKWOOD

cc: WILLIAM WHITE

CONSOLIDATED FREIGHTWAYS, INC.

July 31, 1975

Honorable William T. Coleman, Jr. The Secretary of Transportation

I attach copy of Dr. Gregory's letter to me of July 28th and my response to him.

I believe truck manufacturers, antiwheel lock device manufacturers and truck operators should be required by NHTSA to report any and all malfunctions of the antiwheel lock safety devices regardless of whether or not in their opinion the defect is safety related. All such reports should then find their way into the reliability file which has been set up in Room 5307, Motor Vehicle Programs, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA should not be allowed to screen such reports to determine whether or not they are "suitable for public scrutiny in light of applicable regulations and proprietary considerations".

Truck operators are now required to buy trucks with this equipment and are entitled to know exactly what problems are occurring in the field.

I will very much appreciate your looking into this matter.

WILLIAM G. WHITE -- CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD