[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 44 (Monday, November 6, 2000)]
[Pages 2719-2720]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on Signing the Transportation Recall Enhancement, 
Accountability, and Documentation (TREAD) Act

 November 1, 2000

     Today I am pleased to sign into law H.R. 5164, the ``Transportation 
Recall Enhancement, Accountability, and Documentation (TREAD) Act.'' The 
TREAD Act represents an important first step toward strengthening our 
Nation's motor vehicle safety laws, and its vigorous and quick 
implementation will help save lives and prevent injuries.
     Most important, the Act responds directly to some of the key 
shortcomings in identifying the recent Firestone tire problem. Some of 
the deaths and injuries associated with these tires might have been 
prevented if automobile manufacturers and their suppliers had been 
required to provide the Government with more timely information about 
potential safety defects. The Act addresses this by: (1) specifically 
requiring manufacturers, within 5 days, to report to the Secretary of 
Transportation any relevant safety recalls or other safety campaigns in 
foreign countries; and (2) granting the Secretary of Transportation new 
authority to develop an early warning system that requires automobile 
manufacturers and their suppliers to submit

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information and analysis concerning possible safety defects in vehicles 
and equipment.
     With this new authority, however, comes the important 
responsibility to notify the public, as quickly as possible, of any 
relevant investigative efforts and other safety-related information 
submitted to the Secretary by the manufacturers or their suppliers. 
Thus, today I am also directing the Secretary of Transportation to 
implement the information disclosure requirements of the Act in a manner 
that assures maximum public availability of information.
     Finally, among many other important measures, the Act also includes 
proposals put forth by my Administration to provide for longer recall 
periods, to increase civil penalties for violations of the motor vehicle 
safety laws, and to authorize more funds for investigations into 
defective cars and their parts. I strongly support all of these 
provisions.
                                            William J. Clinton
 The White House,
 November 1, 2000.

  Note:  H.R. 5164, approved November 1, was assigned Public Law No. 
106-414.