NHTSA clarifies provisions to 'early warning' rule

WASHINGTON (April 16)—Documents covered by attorney-client privilege or quality data from assembly plants and port inspections won't have to be included in "field reports" that must be submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration under the "early warning" provisions of the Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability and Documentation Act, NHTSA ruled April 15. The agency also clarified its position on reporting of one-time historical claims and foreign fatalities in this largely technical reply to petitions filed by auto makers since the final rule was issued July 10. The hottest early warning-related issue—the still-awaited ruling on whether certain data required by NHTSA may remain confidential—wasn't addressed in the notice.