This Auto Wreck Won’t Happen

Here’s one you can file under “Business as Usual.” Automakers want to review (read: “repeal and replace”) the Obama-era gas-mileage standards, citing that such an aggressive approach would cripple the U.S. economy and destroy jobs.

It seems to me that I’ve heard that before, though, haven’t I?  Oh, that’s right; It comes in response to literally every attempt on the part of government to make auto transportation safer and healthier for the consumer since the push-back on seat belts in 1961.  “Nobody wants them! They’re uncomfortable; they’re too confining!  They’ll add so much cost that the increase in car prices will push consumers away!  They’re really not effective in preventing injury and death anyway!”

This lonesome low refrain has rolled across the hills and valleys of this land for more than half a century: from crash-testing to anti-lock brakes to emissions standards to smog testing to airbags.

Insofar as it appears we haven’t learned this yet, here’s a news flash: Progress in healthy and safe driving will not wreck the car industry.