SEATTLE — Ride the Ducks International has agreed to pay up to $1 million in civil penalties under a consent order reached with federal transportation officials.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Tuesday the Branson, Missouri-based manufacturer of amphibious vehicles violated motor vehicle safety laws when it failed to report a defect in a front axle or initiate a full safety recall.
The company manufactured the vehicle that was involved in a deadly crash on Seattle’s Aurora Bridge in 2015. Five college students were killed and dozens injured.
A NHTSA investigation found that vehicle had a defect that had been noted by Ride the Ducks International in 2013 but the company did not issue a safety recall as required.
The consent order says the company will pay $480,000 in civil penalties and spend another $20,000 to ensure it complies with the order. It will also pay another $500,000 in fines if it continues to violate federal motor vehicle safety laws or the consent order.
