By Howard Fischer | Capitol Media Services via Arizona Daily Star
The state Court of Appeals won’t require vehicle manufacturers to install safety equipment for cars sold in Arizona that are not mandated by federal law.
In a new ruling, the judges rejected arguments by a woman seriously injured in an accident that Nissan should be held liable for failing to install an automatic braking system in the vehicle that struck her car.
Her lawyer, Lynn Shumway, contends that the system, which would have cost perhaps no more than $500, could have prevented the accident that left Antea Dashi with brain damage and diminished mental capacity.
Judge David Weinzweig, writing for the unanimous three-judge panel, said the National Highway Safety Administration has so far declined to set formal standards for advanced automatic braking technologies in light vehicles.
