NHTSA plans to issue a proposal of rulemaking that would require carmakers to use safer switches for power window systems in automobiles, according to a June 24 article in "The Washington Post". The proposed rule is expected to be formally announced in the "Federal Register" in approximately a month.

Currently, NHTSA does not have any rules governing power window safety.

The Senate version of the approved highway authorization bill contains language that would require automakers to make power windows safer and create a government database to keep track of such deaths and injuries. The House version of the highway bill, however, does not contain a power window-related provision.

House and Senate transportation conferees have been ironing out funding issues and other differences in conference over the past few weeks. After the July 4 recess, the committee will reconvene July 7 for a public conference meeting.