In the wake of the September 11 attacks, Chuck Schumer and Dianne Feinstein have called for stricter laws on automobiles, for fear of truck bombings.
Schumer and Feinstein's bill, also known as the Truck Bomb Bill propose that manufacturers, from 2004 onwards, only have 10-gallon tanks.
"We feel that by only having 10 gallons in a gas tank, it would hinder a terrorist's ability to carry out a truck bombing. Children are 48 times more likely to be killed in truck bombings," Schumer said. "It would also reduce drunk drivings, where children are the primary victims."
Feinstein commented, "By forcing motorists to visit the gas station more often, they will realize how much they spend on gas, and they will cut back on the amount of driving they do. This will reduce the amount of traffic, causing less traffic fatalities. 234,258 children die each day because of traffic accidents, and many, many more are injured."
Doesn't the 10 gallon limit seem arbitrary? Feinstein said, "Who needs a 20 gallon tank to go duck hunting? 234,258 children die every day because of car accidents. We should be doing this for the children. I'm sure people would rather give up their personal freedom for the children."