It took thousands of recalled vehicles, hundreds of class action lawsuits and dozens of headlines, but lawmakers in Washington finally are interested in tougher safety standards for automobiles. Last Thursday, Congress set in motion legislation that could make the lives of car company CEOs very uncomfortable.

The last time Congress addressed safety issues with automobiles was 10 years ago when Ford Explorers were equipped with exploding Firestone tires. The much-chronicled fall from grace for popular car maker Toyota is seen as today's call to action for Congress members. Toyota’s faulty accelerator pedals, along with the plethora of high-profile lawsuits that came hand-in-hand with the recalls, have made automobile safety a hot-button issue in Washington. Hoping to give voters some peace of mind while picking up some extra votes for themselves along the way, Congress is fast-tracking legislation in hopes of stopping another Toyota -like catastrophe.

A pair of bills prepared by Rep. Henry A. Waxman, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and Sen. John D. Rockefeller IV are expected to serve as the general framework for Washington’s proposed safety overhaul of the auto business. Among the proposals on the table are the enforcement of "black box" technology installment in new vehicles. Black boxes, like the ones used in airplanes, tell investigators what went wrong mechanically. Mandatory black boxes, lawmakers say, would force car companies to take accountability for the products they market to consumers. Congress also has suggested that car companies be required to install brake override systems. Also proposed are rapid recalls that would push car makers to take faulty vehicles off the road immediately to prevent further injury. Finally, Congress has proposed slapping manufacturers with steep fines for safety issues.

The House and the Senate are expected to reach decisions on definitive legislation in a series of hearings focused on car safety later this month.