Sunday, September 9, 2012

This Day in History September 9, 1966


I am so glad that today's feature happened--really I am!  Ralph Nader had just published the book Unsafe at Any Speed, and people were beginning to get concerned about motor vehicle crashes and fatalities.  So in response, President Johnson signed the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act into law.  For the first time, seatbelts were required for every passenger.  Also, self-sealing fuel tanks, shatter-resistant windshields,, and impact-absorbing wheels were required on every vehicle.   The Highway Safety Act (which came later) regulated better road signs and markers.  These two act together greatly reduced fatal vehicular accidents.

Of course, since then, more legislation has been passed, but at least this was a good start.  I, for one, am glad that this was enacted, and I can only hope that drivers will continue to take advantage of all precautions that cars and traffic safety provides.  But when I get out and drive on a regular basis, I know that people take these things for granted and still continue to be quite unsafe.

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1 comment:

  1. Hi! Found you through Bloggy Moms and I'm your newest follower! I look forward to your future posts!

    Christie
    http://satisfactionthroughchrist.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete

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