Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association Applauds Safety Potential of NHTSA's Heavy-duty Vehicle Electronic Stability Control Rule

WASHINGTON, June 5, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- On June 3, the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced the release of its final rule requiring the inclusion of electronic stability control systems on commercial vehicles, including heavy trucks and large buses. For over a decade, the members of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) have worked with Congress, NHTSA, vehicle manufacturers, and the public to advance the use of critical safety devices in motor vehicles including the heavy-duty vehicle electronic stability control rule and applauded the long awaited decision.

"MEMA has been engaged with NHTSA on advanced braking system issues long before the electronic stability control rule, and we have been involved in the electronic stability control rulemaking since its initiation over a decade ago," said Steve Handschuh, president and chief executive officer of MEMA. "Safety is a priority to our members, and the inclusion of electronic stability control technology on heavy-duty vehicles will prevent crashes and reduce fatalities, injuries and property damage."

As with passenger vehicles, electronic stability control systems automatically maintain the directional control of a vehicle when drivers can't react quickly. Per the ruling's announcement, NHTSA estimates the rule will prevent as many as 1,759 crashes, 649 injuries and 49 fatalities each year, as well as preventing up to 56 percent rollover crashes not caused by striking an obstacle or leaving the road.

"Safety technology adoption in heavy-duty vehicles can offer unique challenges, but our industry welcomes the opportunity to add a technology that will improve safety for everyone on the roadway including drivers. The addition of electronic stability control systems to commercial vehicles is a step in the right direction and we look forward to continuing to work with NHTSA and Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association to implement this new rule," said Timothy Kraus, president and chief operating officer of Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (a division of MEMA).

For more information, contact Ann Wilson, senior vice president of government affairs, MEMA: [email protected].

About MEMA

MEMA is the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (www.mema.org), a trade association for motor vehicle and mobility suppliers and parts manufacturers and remanufacturers celebrating its 110th anniversary. Our members supply both the original equipment and aftermarket segments of the light vehicle (car and truck) and commercial vehicle (on- and off-road) industries. MEMA operates through its four divisions: Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA), Motor & Equipment Remanufacturers Association (MERA) and Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA).

SOURCE Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association

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http://www.mema.org