Denial of Petition To Adopt a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard To Require That New Vehicles Be Equipped With Technology (Computer Chips) Embedded in Ignition Keys To Deter Theft

Resumo

This document denies the Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety's (CARS) petition to adopt a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard ( FMVSS) to require that new motor vehicles be equipped with specific technology, such as computer chips in the ignition keys, to deter theft. CARS believes that the standard it proposed would ensure a safer and more effective means of deterring theft than the steering lock systems presently required by 49 CFR Section 571.114, Theft Protection. The agency is denying this petition because it cannot mandate specific technologies that motor vehicle manufacturers are to use to deter theft. The definition of ``motor vehicle safety standard'' in the vehicle safety law limits the agency's discretion with respect to petitions that seek to specify the design of vehicles or equipment rather than their performance. In addition, the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) are currently assessing the existing theft prevention program to determine what, if any, changes are needed to further deter motor vehicle theft. Accordingly, the agency believes it would be premature to promulgate additional requirements before this comprehensive