WASHINGTON (Feb. 14, 2002)—The Office of Management and Budget has told the Department of Transportation that it wants the agency to revisit its proposed rule on tire pressure monitoring devices.
The proposal, which favors “direct” monitoring systems, ignores the safety and cost benefits of indirect systems, said OMB official John D. Graham in a letter to DOT. “The indirect system captures a substantial portion of the benefit provided by direct systems,” Mr. Graham said. Also, indirect systems are more compatible with anti-lock brakes, “thereby accelerating the rate of adoption of ABS technology.”
In comments to the DOT's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, auto makers argued for the indirect-ABS combination, and Mr. Graham's letter contained “the crux of our position,” said Scott Schmidt, an official with the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers.