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BY ED FERNANDEZ
COMMENTARY
Driver safety. Passenger safety. Pedestrian safety.
For those of us in the transportation business, these are our guiding imperatives. For those of us with children, these are our unrelenting obsessions.
It is therefore understandable that concerns are being raised about New Jersey's new inspection law — a law that eliminates the requirement for "mechanical" car inspections ... loosens the requirement for "emissions" car inspections ... and puts an end to all motorcycle inspections.
To be sure, it is unclear whether inspections actually lead to safer vehicles. As NJ Motor Vehicle Commission Chief Administrator Raymond Martinez recently explained, there is a "lack of conclusive data" on the matter. And it was this lack of certainty — combined with the possibility of saving the state $17 million per year — that led to the change of policy.
Critics, however, have complained that the ambiguity surrounding this issue speaks to the need for caution, for continued study, and for maintaining a more aggressive inspection regime. After all, the thinking goes, it is irresponsible to make such a weighty decision without full and convincing information.Nonetheless, irrespective of this debate, one compelling fact remains: there are too many unsafe vehicles on the road causing too many unnecessary injuries and deaths. Indeed, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that approximately 2.3 percent of all fatal crashes are due solely to defective vehicles. That translates into an annual loss of about 1,000 lives nationally and 14 lives in New Jersey.
Needless to say, this is unacceptable. Accidents caused by mechanical defects are preventable. Regular maintenance. Better awareness. Greater investment of resources. There are many relatively quick and easy and important steps that owners should take to make their vehicles safe.
But the question remains — without the need to pass inspection, will they take them?
In other words, what will motivate them to care for their car much like they care for themselves — with preventive check-ups and regular maintenance? What will be their incentive to spend the necessary time and money, particularly during hard times? What will it take to keep defective vehicles off the road?
First, we need leadership. Vehicle safety is an issue that affects literally everyone — old, young, rich, poor, urban or suburban. It is therefore incumbent upon all of us — particularly those of us who work on transportation issues in the private and public sectors — to do all we can to decrease the number of defective vehicles on the road. Government officials should use the bully pulpit of their offices. Business leaders should use their expertise and relationships with customers. And all of us should put our money and our time and our good names behind efforts to promote vehicle safety.
Second, we need education. We to sensitize drivers to the very real, very serious risks associated with defective vehicles. To this end, we need to think creatively and proactively. It is not good enough to equip a car with an oversized manual that collects dusts in the glove compartment. We need to reach owners in a more meaningful, most effective way. Perhaps internet sites accessible by smartphones. Perhaps mobile APPs designed specifically to address questions about vehicle maintenance. Perhaps regular emails from car dealers or insurance companies, similar to the ones received annually from primary care physicians. Whatever the means, we need to develop ways to educate drivers about the need for maintenance and the ease with which they can receive it.
Again, the debate over the merits of the new law can and will likely continue. In fact, it is probably a healthy debate. But right now, the most important thing is for us to adapt to the new normal in vehicle safety and provide the leadership and education needed to save lives in the post-inspections world.
So, let's get busy....
Ed Fernandez is the President and CEO of Palisades, which is a New Jersey car insurance company.
