The Senate Commerce Committee is expected to mark up a plan to increase fuel-efficiency mandates today, even though, according to the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI), the proposed plan would increase risks to motorists.

"Americans are already increasing fuel economy in response to higher gas prices, far more quickly than government ever could," said CEI General Counsel Sam Kazman. "Consumers should not be disempowered by higher CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) standards, which would put their choice and safety at risk." The mandates under consideration would raise CAFE standards from 27.5 miles per gallon to 35 mpg by 2020 for passenger cars, and from 22.2 mpg to 35 mpg for light trucks. The Senate plan will also impose additional mandates for larger vehicles starting in 2011.

The danger according to CEI is that the higher fuel economy standards restrict the production of larger, more crash worthy vehicles. These standards coupled with rising gas prices have already forced consumers into lighter weight vehicles leaving motorist less safe in the event of a collision. "A new Consumer Reports study shows that government efficiency regs have already ruined laundry washers," said Kazman. "If government can mess up a simple appliance like that, the notion it can deal competently with automobiles is incredibly far-fetched."