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Automakers Call Highway Bill 'An Investment In Better, Safer Roads'

23 May 1998

Automakers Call Highway Bill 'An Investment In Better, Safer Roads'

    WASHINGTON, May 22 -- The following is a statement by Andrew
H. Card, Jr., President & CEO of the American Automobile Manufacturers
Association (AAMA), in reaction to expected passage of the Intermodal Surface
Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) reauthorization bill:
    "AAMA and its member companies -- Chrysler, Ford and General Motors --
commend highway bill conferees for their effort on this important legislation.
ISTEA will provide more than $200 billion over a six-year period, most of it
for federal highway and highway safety programs. It will help alleviate road
congestion, save lives and create jobs.
    "Members of Congress recognize that every dollar directed to the nation's
infrastructure is an investment in better, safer roads from coast to coast.
    "As the government works to improve road conditions, automakers are making
strides to improve vehicle safety.  Better engineered roads that are traveled
by safer cars and trucks will go a long way toward reducing the number of
accidents and injuries on the nation's highways.
    "Motorists, however, should recognize that they are the most important
factor of all in the safety equation.  Be alert, be smart and be safe whenever
and wherever you drive -- today and every day."

    AAMA is the trade association whose members are Chrysler Corporation, Ford
Motor Company and General Motors Corporation.  Visit AAMA's site on the World
Wide Web at http://www.aama.com.