Firm Sues to Access Roadway Safety Data

Source: Associated Press

Firm Sues to Access Roadway Safety Data

By KEN THOMAS
The Associated Press
Tuesday, March 27, 2007; 1:23 PM

WASHINGTON -- A research firm that has studied tire failures on
Ford Motor Co. sport utility vehicles sued the Transportation
Department on Tuesday for access to roadway death and injury data.

Quality Control Systems Corp., of Crownsville, Md., said the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration had wrongfully withheld records
on deaths and injuries from tire-related incidents involving Ford
Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer SUVs.

The company wants access to Ford's early warning system data,
which the government has withheld from the public, to learn more
about potential tire-related deaths and injuries.

-snip-

QCS and some consumer groups have requested early warning system
data submitted by automakers, which was part of legislation passed
by Congress following the massive recall of Firestone tires in 2000.
The measure required automakers and other manufacturers to provide
data on deaths, injuries, consumer complaints, property damage and
warranty claims.

-snip-


Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/27/AR2007032701144.html