U.S. Senator Bill Nelson is slamming the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration over defective airbags. The criticism comes as the administration widens a recall to 7.8 million vehicles.
The Administration says Florida's humidity makes vehicles here especially vulnerable. In fact, investigators say an Orlando woman died last month when her airbag exploded and propelled shrapnel at her.
U.S. Senator Bill Nelson says that's ground for review of the auto industry – and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration itself.
"When the very agency empowered to save people's lives is not doing the job on some of the automobile equipment and, indeed, it is killing people – then it's absolutely time for outrage", said Nelson.
Nelson says an investigation would proceed any regulatory legislation. Meanwhile, he wants the government to give owners more information about recalls, and he wants "snowbirds" added to regional warnings.