Quote:
Originally Posted by Aedo
I'm agree more with RoadDad than you Tpup here. I don't believe the rules are only in place to protect the environment and to make cars safer (lets face it - the 2.5mph rule has nothing to do with safety) although that is the horse they ride on. I believe that the federal rules are in effect a non-tarif trade barrier to protect the local industry (and therefore the politicians who get voted in by them etc). Australia has a very similar system - ADRs (Australian Design Rules) - these rules are so specific they prevent the importation of many cars.
Two funny things about the ADRs though - left hand drive is forbidden (so US cars largely fail to make it here but this also catches out the super cars like the Enzo, F40, etc) - but several 340R were imported and complied by Lotus so they are available here  |
We agree to disagree then. I think the emissions laws have worked very well in keeping emissions down in the largest auto market in the world. If we all drove 72 Cudas we would not be able to breathe in many US cities. Fortunately there are not may 72 Cudas left on the road so they are a rounding error in total emissions.
I agree that the 2.5 mph bumper is more about protecting consumers than it is about safety, however, that is one of many safety rules enacted (airbags, roof pillar design, etc). I also believe that those rules have had a measurable impact on safety in the US. Many accidents are survivable today that were simply not back in the 70s.