Rental car companies play rental car roulette

 
Rental car companies are putting their customers' lives at risk by renting out cars that are so unsafe, they are being recalled by the manufacturer. We believe you should not have to worry about your family's safety just because the rental car company neglected to get an unsafe car fixed.

But -- rental car companies disagree. They want to be allowed to keep renting and selling unsafe cars. Especially over major holidays. That's when they may run out of safe cars, and can't meet the increased demand without resorting to cars that are under a recall.

That's why we're fighting to prevent tragic incidents like the one that resulted in the deaths of Jacqueline and Raechel Houck, ages 20 and 24, who were killed by an unsafe Enterprise rental car -- that was under a safety recall. They were told they were getting an "upgrade." Instead, they were being rented a vehicle that caught on fire and caused their deaths. It also put others who shared the roads in danger.

Please help stop rental car companies from putting lives at risk in vehicles so unsafe, they are being recalled by the manufacturer, under a federal mandate.

What can you to to help?

It's easy -- simply call or email your members of the California Assembly, and let them know you care about safety, and want them to vote AYE for AB 753. AB 753 would simply prohibit rental car companies from renting out or selling unsafe rental cars that are being recalled -- until they are fixed. Period.

Here's where to find out who your state legislators are: http://192.234.213.69/amapsearch/framepage.asp
It's best to contact both your Assemblyperson and your state Senator.

Every message helps. The rental car companies are making billions and have hired a small army of lobbyists to do their bidding and allow them to keep renting out unsafe vehicles. It's vital to make your voice heard. Emails are great. Phone calls are even better. Please help spread the word. The more people legislators hear from, the better.

Thank you! for helping prevent tragic vehicle crashes.

Motor vehicles are the most lethal consumer products sold in the U.S.  Vehicle crashes cost our nation over $230 billion each year in lost productivity, legal costs, medical expenses, higher insurance rates, and other related costs. They also cause untold grief and horrible losses for families and entire communities.

Like to check out the bill?  Visit California AB 753 page

 
From CBS Sacramento, Channel 13:

"A California mother made an emotional plea at the State Capitol after losing her two daughters to a horrific crash blamed on a recalled vehicle. Cally Houck lost her two daughters, 24-year-old Raechel and 20-year-old Jacqueline near Kings City in Central California in 2004. They lost control of the Chrysler PT Cruiser they had rented."

See report: Call Kurtis: Rental Car Recall

 
From ABC -- KGO-TV San Francisco, Channel 7:

"Consumer groups are applauding a bill introduced in Sacramento that would stop car rental companies from renting out vehicles that are facing a safety recall."

See report: New Calif. bill targets rental car companies

 
SANTA CRUZ - Rental cars recalled for safety reasons would be grounded until repairs are made if a bill proposed by Assemblyman Bill Monning, D-Carmel, becomes law.

Monning said a "loophole" in federal law allows rental car companies to rent out vehicles that are under recall while new car dealers are prohibited from selling new cars under recall until they are repaired.

He is expected to introduce AB 753 this morning at a news conference in Sacramento.

He said the measure was prompted by the death of two Santa Cruz residents, Raechel Houck, 24, and her sister, Jacqueline, 20, in a fiery crash in 2004 while driving a PT Cruiser rented from Enterprise Rent-A-Car. The car had been recalled for a defective power steering hose prone to catch fire, but it hadn't been repaired.

Read report: Santa Cruz Sentinel; by Jondi Gumz

 
Assemblymember Bill Monning introduces bill...

which is sponsored by C.A.R.S. and named for Raechel and Jacqueline Houck

Read more: News release

Read more: Copy of the bill, at the California State Senate website;
                  Senate page with links to related documents
 

Heated debate over rental car safety -- check out video of champions making impassioned pleas for safety, versus foes of safety bill. One legislator claims it's no big deal if you're rented a car with windshield wipers that don't work...
 
Watch the official video here: C.A.R.S. official YouTube page: AB 753 part 1
Watch part 2 of the video here: AB 753 part 2

 
Sen. Schumer introduces Rental Car Safety Act.

Rental car companies insist: "Trust us to pick and choose" which unsafe cars they can rent, and who gets stuck renting them.

Read more: ABC News report: Sen. Schumer demands --
fix dangerous rental car loophole:   March 3, 2011

Read more: Recalled rental cars go unrepaired, auto officials say:
Detroit News - February 25, 2011

Recently Congress granted auto dealers a special exemption from being regulated by the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. This, despite the fact auto lending is a $850 billion business, and auto dealers are the #1 source of consumer complaints to the Better Business Bureau and state and local consumer protection agencies.

Surprise -- campaign cash played a central role in the dealers' win against consumers, including the military.

In the past two decades, auto dealers have lavished more than $25 million in campaign contributions on Congressional candidates, with 75% going to Republicans. They have repeatedly reaped rewards in return, at the expense of consumers and taxpayers. Last year, Congress gave auto dealers more than $3,000,000 in taxpayer dollars, through the "Cash for Clunkers" program -- with no strings attached to protect car buyers from predatory dealership lending. Auto dealers have also benefited from TARP and TALF and other bailout funds.

The biggest beneficiary of auto dealer campaign cash: U.S. Sen. John McCain. He has accepted more than $717,000 from auto dealers. Despite his military background, Sen. McCain turned a deaf ear to the military community, and voted to exempt auto dealers. Ironically, Arizona has some of the most high-profile cases involving auto dealers preying on troops.

Read more: auto dealers ripping off military Servicemembers

Read more: auto dealers' campaign contributions