Question

Define the following statistical problem for the problem, what data would I collect and how would I display the data for:

A recent proposal is to roll back fuel efficiency standards for newer automobiles. The main argument is for safety and saving lives. The argument is: Cars that are more fuel efficient cost more and hence people will keep their cars longer thus missing out on safety features of new cars. This will lead to an increase in fatalities.

I must identify both sides of the question and identify which of the sides requires proof.

Answer 1

The argument is: Cars that are more fuel efficient cost more and hence people will keep their cars longer thus missing out on safety features of new cars. This will lead to an increase in fatalities.

The proposal to roll back fuel efficiency standards for newer automobiles is not a solution. Today, almost every automobile company has all the basic safety features in place i.e..hydraulic brakes, air bags etc. The need of the hour is to make fuel efficient cars, but without compromising the customer's safety. The cut throat competition in automobile industry today, takes care of this thing. No company would out and out try to compromise on safety, just to improve fuel efficiency. These two things will go hand in hand and it's not necessary that one feature need's to be traded off to enhance the other feature.
Hence, cars with more fuel efficiency might not necessarily cost more and still provide a decent set of safety standards.