WASHINGTON — The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) is urging President Trump to accelerate efforts to nominate an administrator for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a position that's been vacant since January.
Nominating an administrator for NHTSA is imperative to implement motorist safety and pro-competitive highway policies, USTMA President and CEO Anne Forristall Luke wrote in a Sept. 20 letter to Mr. Trump.
"NHTSA's role in regulating the motor vehicle, tire and motor vehicle equipment industries requires leadership to ensure implementation of smart, efficient regulations required by Congress to ensure a competitive marketplace," she wrote.
Ms. Luke wrote that the USTMA stands ready to work with the Trump administration and its eventual NHTSA nominee to advance motorist safety and promote a successful U.S. tire industry.
"Safety is the No. 1 priority for the tire manufacturing industry," she wrote. "Tires are complex technological marvels that connect vehicles to the road, and our members devote significant resources to improving safety through innovation."
Ms. Luke said the USTMA is encouraged by the Trump administration's regulatory policies.
"We appreciate the opportunity afforded by your administration to require a careful review of existing regulations that may result in a reduction of outdated, obsolete or inefficient requirements that do not advance motorist safety yet add costs that affect manufacturers' ability to compete in a global market," she said.
The NHTSA administrator's position has been vacant since Mark Rosekind left the agency with the change in administrations.