Diaz-Balart, NHTSA Administrator Rosekind Spread Awareness About Vehicle Safety

MIAMI – (RealEstateRama) — Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25), Chairman of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee, released the following statement after participating in the Safe Cars Save Lives Tour alongside Dr. Mark Rosekind, Administrator of the National Traffic Highway Safety Administration. This free event, held at Florida International University, invited the local community to learn about vehicle safety, including car seat and tire checks, recall look-ups, and spreading awareness about the dangers of heat stroke when leaving children in hot cars. This event was a collaboration of the NHTSA, Safe Kids Miami-Dade Coalition, Florida Department of Transportation-State Safety Office, Florida Highway Patrol, and the Rubber Manufacturers Association.

“Millions of car owners across the United States are facing a massive recall on Takata air bags, and this event invited the local community to learn more about the recall and what steps to take to replace the air bags. As a native Floridian, I am all too familiar with the soaring temperatures and high humidity during the summer months, and I am pleased that NHTSA made South Florida their first stop on the safety tour. I am happy to work with NHTSA Administrator Rosekind to help spread awareness about the dangers posed when leaving children in hot cars. Being informed about these dangers, as well as any recent vehicle recalls and the importance of proper car seat installation, are critical to keeping our families safe.”

NHTSA is partially funded through the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, chaired by Diaz-Balart. For the current fiscal year, Congress funded NHTSA Operations and Research at $295.7 million, an increase of $27.2 million over current levels, and funded Safety Programs at $573.3 million, an increase of $11.8 over current levels.