This autumn is the 50th anniversary of the ONE TIME when congress responded to the will of the people. Allegedly the lower house is supposed to respond, but it never does. Just this ONE TIME.
For the 1974 model year, NHTSA required cars to REFUSE TO START unless all seat belts were buckled around all occupied positions. The automakers tried to comply, but people quickly found that the system couldn’t possibly work. It sensed grocery bags or dogs as an occupant, and PREVENTED THE CAR FROM STARTING.
People complained to congress, and JUST THIS ONE TIME, congress responded to the will of the people. On Oct 27, 1974 a law was signed by Jerry Ford, and NHTSA rescinded the requirement. Since then, only a buzzer or other warning sound indicates an unbuckled belt.
Happy anniversary to the ONE EXAMPLE of democracy in my lifetime!
Polistra's Mill 