Document: 514 U.S. 280115 S.Ct. 1483131 L.Ed.2d 385 FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION, et al., Petitionersv.Ben MYRICK, ux., al. No. 94-286. Supreme Court of the United States Argued Feb. 22, 1995. Decided April 18, Syllabus * In separate state common-law suits, respondents alleged that absence an antilock braking system (ABS) in tractor-trailers manufactured by petitioners constituted a negligent design defect caused accidents injuring one respondent and killing another's spouse. The District granted summary judgments for petitioners, holding respondents' claims were pre-empted National Traffic Motor Vehicle Safety Act 1966 (Act) Highway Administration's Standard 121, even though applicable portion standard had previously been suspended Ninth Circuit. Among other things, forbids any State to "establish, or continue effect," motor vehicle safety "[w]henever Federal . is effect" with respect "the same aspect performance," 15 U.S.C. § 1392(d), while 121 imposed stability requirements truck stopping distances shorter than those could be achieved brakes lacking ABS. Eleventh Circuit consolidated cases reversed, not expressly under precedent impliedly due conflict between law federal regulatory scheme. Held: 1. Respondents' lawsuits are pre-empted. Because 121's suspension, there simply no "minimum," 1391(2), "objective," 1392(a), addressing trucks. thus remain free their own standards concerning "aspects performance." 1392(d). Moreover, regulation cannot itself constitute this instance. lack did result from affirmative decision officials refrain regulating brakes, but court Government compiled sufficient evidence justify its regulations. Ray v. Atlantic Richfield Co., 435 151, 178, 98 988, 1004, 55 179, distinguished. Pp. __. 2. actions do law, they implication. This has found implied pre-emption where it "impossible private party comply both requirements," English General Electric 496 72, 79, 110 2270, 2275, 65, "stands as obstacle accomplishment execution [Congress'] full purposes objectives," Hines Davidowitz, 312 52, 67, 61 399, 404, 85 L.Ed. 581. Cipollone Liggett Group Inc., 505 ----, 112 2608, 2632, 120 407, First, impossible because with. Nothing regulations currently regulates use ABS devices. Second, finding liability against would undermine objectives such devices, since none exist absent promulgated standard. 13 F.3d 1516 (CA 11 1994), affirmed. THOMAS, J., delivered opinion Court, which REHNQUIST, C.J., STEVENS, O'CONNOR, KENNEDY, SOUTER, GINSBURG, BREYER, JJ., joined. SCALIA, concurred judgment. Charles Fried, petitioners. Michael H. Gottesman, respondents. Paul R.Q. Wolfson, U.S., amicus curiae, special leave Court. Justice THOMAS 1 By statute, Secretary Transportation authority issue appropriate vehicles equipment. Respondents filed common alleging defects equipment Petitioners claim these standard, was court. We hold implicitly extinguish law. 2 case arises two essentially identical Georgia involving tractor-trailers. cases, 18-wheel attempted brake suddenly ended up jackknifing into oncoming traffic. Neither equipped (ABS).1 first case, Ben Myrick driver hit tractor-trailer petitioner Freightliner. accident left him permanently paraplegic brain damaged. second car, Grace Lindsey, killed when her collided Navistar. 3 independently sued manufacturers tort They rendered defective. removed Northern on basis diversity citizenship. then sought judgment ground (Safety Act), Pub.L. 89-563, 80 Stat. 718, amended, 1381 seq., implementing Myrick's held Freuhauf Corp., 795 F.Supp. 1139 (ND Ga.1992). Following Lindsey action favor 4 Appeals reversed. (1994). It previous Taylor Motors 875 F.2d 816 (CA11 1989), cert. denied, 494 1065, 1781, 108 783 (1990), state-law rejected petitioners' alternative argument certiorari, 513 115 306, 130 218 now affirm. II 5 1966, Congress enacted "to reduce traffic deaths injuries persons resulting accidents." 1381. requires establish "appropriate standards." 1392(a). defines "a minimum performance, practicable, meets need provides objective criteria." 1391(2). 6 Act's express clause provides: 7 "Whenever established subchapter effect, political subdivision shall have either establish, item performance section construed preventing enforcing standard." 8 also contains savings clause, states: "Compliance issued does exempt person law." 1397(k). 9 delegated promulgate Administrator Administration (NHTSA). 49 CFR 1.50(a) 1970, predecessor NHTSA air used trucks Known See 36 Fed.Reg. 3817 (1971).2 without ABS, several notified devices required. Some asked alter believed unreliable dangerously unsafe combined new, more effective brakes. 1974, responded practical cause accidents. generally Paccar, Inc. NHTSA, 573 632, 637-638 (CA9), 439 862, 99 184, 58 172 (1978). 10 Several trade associations review That remanded careful extensive record" indicated neither reasonable nor practicable at time put effect." F.2d, 640. failed consider high failure rate placed actual use, id., 642, "there [was] strong probability [ABS] created potentially hazardous highway situation existed before became operative," 643. Until show create possibility greater danger, concluded, suspended. Ibid. After Circuit's agency amended so distance lock-up longer applied trailers. nevertheless unamended Code Regulations affected sections [could] most easily reinstated" met Paccar's requirements. 44 46849 (1979). stated provisions place know "what still considers acceptable Although developed new standards, day taken final reinstate governing III 12 Despite fact remains suspended, maintain disagree. preemption applies only performance" regulated There No establishes "minimum "stated terms," minimum, all. Therefore, "aspect[s] insist, however, constitutes regulation. Relying upon our 179 (1978), assert " 'affirmatively exercise takes character ruling approved pursuant policy statute.' Id., S.Ct., 1004 (quoting Bethlehem Steel Co. New York Labor Relations Bd., 330 767, 774, 67 1026, 1030, 91 1234 (1947)). Unlike we intended centralize all over area decision-maker: Government. 177, 1004. Here, decided trailers should stability. Indeed, decide required 1392(a) state.3 Rather, stemmed IV 14 Even if 1392(d) argue implication principle seek vindicate recognized statute overrides scope indicates occupy field exclusively, 78-79, 2274-2275, 65 Congress." 581 (1941). A. As initial matter, must address reach According Appeals, 407 (1992), chosen include statute. merit. pre-emptive statutes governed language each act. conclusion rested familiar canon statutory construction reason infer broader pre-emption. Instead announcing categorical rule precluding coexistence pre-emption, relevant passage stated: 16 "In opinion, 1965 1969 entirely Act. When considered included legislation provision explicitly issue, 'reliable indicium congressional intent authority,' Malone White [497] [98 1185 1190, 443 (1978) ], 'there pre-empt laws substantive provisions' legislation. California Savings & Loan Assn. Guerra, 479 272, 282 [107 683, 690, 93 613] (1987) (opinion Marshall, J.). Such reasoning variant expressio unius est exclusio alterius: Congress' enactment defining implies matters beyond Acts offer look identify domain sections. differ substantially, turn." Cipollone, supra, 2618. 17 definition "implies"—i.e. supports inference —that intend mean forecloses just paragraphs after quoted engaged analysis Cigarette Labeling Advertising Act, 79 282, 1331 "no general, inherent warning continued vitality damages actions." Our subsequent decisions read obviate individual statute's effects. See, e.g., CSX Transportation, Easterwood, 507 n. 12, 113 1732, 1742, 123 387 (1993) ("We reject petitioner's 'conflict' preceding analysis."). At best, pre-emption; rule. B 18 Petitioners' ultimately futile, imposes requiring prohibiting systems, obey 19 say frustrate Hines, 404. fails Further, nothing way other, ordered using A exist. 20 For foregoing reasons, 21 ordered. 22 SCALIA concurs syllabus part prepared Reporter Decisions convenience reader. Detroit Lumber 200 321, 337, 26 287, 50 499. "helps prevent loss control situations automatically controlling amount pressure wheel. With Electronic Control Unit (ECU) monitors wheel-speeds, changes based electric signals transmitted sensors located wheels within axle housings. If start lock, ECU modulator valve actuate, thereby reducing wheel being monitored." 57 24213 (1992). air-brake stop certain various speeds deviating 12-foot-wide lane, lock-up. 571.121 S5.3.1 (1972). requirement 60 miles per hour 217 feet dry surface. actuation release times, well aspects performance. exists, term "standard" pre-empts regulations, 1397(k), permit manufacturer immunize liability.

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