Highest NHTSA Penalty Rising to $16.9 Million
As the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration adjusts its civil penalties for inflation, the maximum available would be $16,950,000 for a series of related violations under the school bus safety provisions.
Pending comments it will accept until July 15, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 30 days will adjust a batch of its civil penalties for inflation. Some specific penalties have been raised in recent years, but not the entire group involved this time: motor vehicle safety requirements involving school buses, bumper standards, consumer information, odometer tampering and disclosure, and vehicle theft protection. The maximum civil penalty that will result from the change announced Monday is significant: $16,950,000 for a series of related violations of school bus safety provisions specified in 49 CFR 578.6(a)(2)(ii).
The new maximum civil penalty for a related series of violations of the bumper standards in 49 CFR 578.6(c)(2) is set to rise from $1,025,000 to $1,175,000. The new maximum for a related series of violations of consumer information requirements regarding crashworthiness and damage susceptibility will be $575,000, up from $500,000. And the maximum for a related series of violations of the odometer requirements will rise from $130,000 to $150,000.
To comment, visit www.regulations.gov and choose DOT Docket ID Number NHTSA-2009-0066 or fax the comments to 202-493-2251.