Only 66 percent of people who said they always wore seat belts while driving also said they always wore them as rear seat passengers. [8] documents in the last year, 887 Some of these strategies are non-regulatory; some are regulatory. A long-term deactivation may only be effectuated by a sequence of operations that are detailed only in the manufacturer's technical manual or which require tools that are not provided with the vehicle. The European Union is set to adopt an updated version of Regulation No. SABs are being offered as standard or optional equipment on many new passenger vehicles. Each of these systems could have strengths and limitations. Euro New Car Assessment Program (NCAP)[2] 208 is intended to reduce the likelihood of occupant deaths and the likelihood and severity of occupant injuries in crashes. Provide specific examples to illustrate your concerns, and suggest alternatives. The report noted that many part-time users interviewed by NHTSAthe primary target group for the technologywere receptive to the new systems. For vehicles that have information on the occupancy status of the rear seats, the visual warning does not need to indicate unfastened seat belts for unoccupied seating positions. Owner's manual/label requirements. This document also provides relevant background information, such as up-to-date information on rear seat belt warning systems that are currently available on some new motor vehicles. This series of research studies showed, among other things, that the presence of an enhanced front seat belt reminder system increased front outboard passenger seat belt use by about 3 to 4 percentage points more than in vehicles with only a driver seat belt warning system meeting the minimum requirements in S7.3. Seat belt warnings for front outboard passenger seats (which are not required by FMVSS No. We seek comment on how NHTSA might specify warning requirements so that any such conflicts are avoided or minimized, and, if a conflict cannot be avoided, which warning, if any, should take precedence. In 2002 and 2003, NHTSA sent letters to several vehicle manufacturers encouraging them to enhance seat belt warning systems beyond the FMVSS No. Under the Florida Statutes, a point system was established to keep track of inappropriate driving behavior and set cumulative point totals that will result in a licensing action. 16[17] of the Economic Commission for Europe of the United Nations (UNECE) that will require seat belt reminder systems in all front and rear seats on new cars beginning in September 2019. Motor vehicle safety standard means a minimum performance standard for motor vehicles or motor vehicle equipment. Smith, Michael Abbott, Texas CDL Section 14 Special Requirements. [72] The number of non-drivers surveyed was relatively small. Enhanced warning systems. 0000003170 00000 n DOT HS 812 594). The first is a large-sample national observational study on the effectiveness of front seat belt warnings. documents in the last year, 24 documents in the last year, 84 Some states with mandatory rear seat belt laws include rear-seat specific messaging in their media campaigns. 97. [62] European New Car Assessment Programme Assessment ProtocolSafety Assist, 3.3.2. The petitioners further asserted that rear seat belt warnings are technologically feasible and would be less costly if they were required in all vehicles. In light of Congress's repeal of this restriction, NHTSA seeks comment on removing the corresponding provision in FMVSS No. Seat belt latch and webbing spool-out sensors are already used by many manufacturers to comply with the existing driver seat belt requirements. Counts are subject to sampling, reprocessing and revision (up or down) throughout the day. The visual signal must be at least 60 seconds long. glass of wine and a 12 oz. For example, approximately 80 percent of drivers of vehicles with a rear seat belt warning were satisfied with the system and 65 percent of drivers of vehicles equipped with rear seat belt reminders reported that the rear seat belt reminder made it easier to encourage rear seat passengers to buckle up.[4]. The regulation will be introduced in two phases: September 1, 2019 for new vehicle types, i.e., applied to all vehicle models that get a new type approval and September 1, 2021 for all newly produced and registered vehicles. [63] That law requires DOT to initiate a rulemaking proceeding to amend FMVSS No. Survey of Principal Drivers of Vehicles with a Rear Seat Belt Reminder System. [67] It has also been pointed out that the research on seat belt use and acceptability among drivers may not be representative of situations where multiple passengers are present and that further evaluation is warranted on the annoyance and acceptance of seat belt warnings. See www.regulations.gov for more information. 50. For example, it may be technically challenging for an occupant detection system to recognize a large occupant spanning multiple seating positions as a single occupant rather than two occupants. For front seat belts, the assessment protocol requires both a visual and an audible warning signal. [78] 19. 0000188740 00000 n b. K2SO4\mathrm{K}_2 \mathrm{SO}_4K2SO4 See Donna Glassbrenner. Web(SHSP) is to reach zero fatalities. 7. These included warning systems that had only the minimum features required by FMVSS No. 0000019826 00000 n [87] WebThe Michigan No-Fault parked vehicle exception provides that only under very specific circumstances will a car accident victim be entitled to No-Fault PIP benefits after being Please note that even after the comment closing date, we will continue to file relevant information in the docket as it becomes available. 14. We seek comment on these concerns, as well as other concerns. 208 to require a seat belt warning system for rear seats on passenger cars and MPVs with a GVWR of 4,536 kg (10,000 lb) or less. Seat belts are effective in most types of crashes. NHTSA also seeks comment on the results of the 2015 survey, including whether and to what extent, selection bias might influence the results. Would the warning be distinguishable from other alerts that are provided to the driver? NHTSA-2002-13226. 0000101579 00000 n WebUnbelted vehicle occupants reach 0 mph by striking the windshield, steering column and dashboard. Should the system be required to register small children that would presumably be placed in a child restraint system? NHTSA also seeks comment on whether an audible warning alone, without a visual warning, would be an effective way to alert the driver to the status of the rear seat belts and increase rear seat belt use. For example, to what extent does the sound of the latch plate clicking into the buckle when a belt is fastened currently serve as an indication of seat belt use? Would occupant detection be necessary for these systems? NHTSA also seeks comment on removing the driver's seat belt warning audible signal duration upper limit. Some of the reasons that your driving privilege could be revoked are _______. Charles J. Kahane. With a positive-only system, the driver would need to determine how many rear seat occupants there are and then determine if that number equals the number of seat belts that are reported by the warning system as buckled. This table of contents is a navigational tool, processed from the For example, a warning system could be defeated if: There are also scenarios involving inadvertent circumvention that could impact the effectiveness and accuracy of a rear belt warning system. How can I be sure that my comments were received? These include: The types of seat belt warning system requirements the agency should propose; the effectiveness of such systems at increasing rear seat belt use; the degree to which consumers would accept such systems; the associated benefits and costs; and the vehicles to which any proposed requirements should apply. The guidelines could identify best practices for manufacturers who wish to equip vehicles with a rear seat belt warning system. However, occupant detection for the rear seats may present both technical and cost challenges. The regulations do not require seat belt warnings for any seating position other than the driver's seat. Using a seat belt is one of the most effective actions a motor vehicle occupant can take to prevent death and injury in a crash. 16 will require a rear seat belt warning. 2015. Unbelted vehicle occupants reach 0 mph by striking the windshield, steering column and dashboard. Modern vehicles are designed to crush when they crash to absorb kinetic energy. Even with modern cars that are designed to absorb the energy of impact, a head-on collision may have more energy than the car design can dissipate. Because, unlike NOPUS, it is not observational, the MVOSS is not the best indicator of national belt use. Euro NCAP does not specify that occupant detection for rear seats is needed in order to obtain bonus points. NHTSA also seeks comment on whether there are alternative warning systems that would convey alternative or additional information to the driver (or rear passengers). The second level warning is triggered by threshold criteria based on distance traveled, speed, or duration of travel, which are determined by the manufacturer. At the same time, such vehicles could be at least as likely, if not more likely, to have rear occupants. Your driving privilege will be canceled if you fail to comply with some portion of the Florida Statutes. WebOption 1 - Combination of Perpendicular and Oblique Rigid Barrier Tests: The first option is the unbelted rigid barrier test of impact speed 0 to 48 kmph and impact angle 0 to 30o. The vehicles in the study sample had a wide variety of seat belt warning systems. https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2019-20644, MODS: Government Publishing Office metadata, https://www.transportation.gov/regulations/dot-information-dissemination-quality-guidelines, https://www.regulations.gov/docs/Tips_For_Submitting_Effective_Comments.pdf. [12] Paul Schroeder & Melanie Wilbur. Use the PDF linked in the document sidebar for the official electronic format. Unbelted occupants are overrepresented in fatal crashes. For rear seat occupants, seat belts reduce the risk of fatality by 55 percent (for passenger cars) and 74 percent (for light trucks and vans). [ 1] Are there situations when the warning at a low speed would result in an unnecessary or unwanted warning, and how frequently would such situations occur? See 56 FR 3222 (Jan. 29, 1991). A seat belt warning system utilizing occupant detection technology could provide false reminders if the occupant detection were inaccurate. We also seek comment on whether NHTSA should propose that information be provided in the vehicle owner's manual that accurately describes the warning system's features, including the location and format of the visual warnings, in an easily understandable format. 0000045887 00000 n To the extent possible, we will also consider comments filed after the closing date. Accordingly, NHTSA might need to propose seat occupancy criteria. 0000063736 00000 n 0000009731 00000 n 0000063657 00000 n Frontal air bags have been standard equipment in all passenger cars since model year 1998 and in all SUVs, pickups and vans since model year 1999. offers a preview of documents scheduled to appear in the next day's NHTSA also seeks comment on whether it should require or specify as a compliance option a rear seat belt warning that differs from the type of audio-visual warning that is currently required for the driver's seat belt. 0000008989 00000 n 92. Seat belt warning systems encourage seat belt use by reminding unbuckled occupants to fasten their belts and/or by informing the driver that an occupant is unbelted, so that the driver can request the unbelted occupant to fasten their seat belt. We also seek comment on balancing effectiveness with costs, technological feasibility, and acceptability. European New Car Assessment Programme Assessment ProtocolSafety Assist, Version 8.0.2, November 2017. DOT HS 809 500. Seat occupancy criteria. Part-time non-users are those non-users who generally express positive attitudes toward seat belts, but do not always buckle up, due to a range of reasons, such as short trips, forgetfulness, and being in a rush. See Docket No. Seat belts reduce the risk of fatality for rear outboard occupants by 54 percent (passenger cars) and 75 percent (light trucks and vans), and for center occupants, by 58 percent (passenger cars) and 75 percent (light trucks and vans).[10]. NHTSA seeks comment on specifications that would maximize effectiveness while still being acceptable to the public, as well as the potential for intrusive warnings to lead to driver distraction. (D) in which the soil is relatively deficient in mineral nutrients. Overall, of those who reported experiencing a change of seat belt status alert (49%), over three-quarters of these drivers (77%) said that the unbuckled passenger eventually did refasten her seat belt, either on her own or at the driver's request. 0000018071 00000 n 208. . Passenger vehicles with one person and an Express Pass in Toll mode or a FMVSS No. 68. the material on FederalRegister.gov is accurately displayed, consistent with %%EOF alcohol affects the reaction time of drivers by slowing the reaction time down. WebThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that car seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71% for infants (younger than 1 year old) and by 54% for toddlers (1 to 4 years old) in passenger cars. About the Federal Register Register, and does not replace the official print version or the official 19. 0000047766 00000 n Public Law 109-59, 10306 (2005). 85. This action has been determined to be significant under Executive Order 12866, as amended by Executive Order 13563, and the Department of Transportation (DOT) Order 2100.6, Policies and Procedures for Rulemakings. It has been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget under Executive Order 12866. Based on the agency's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) Buying a Safer Car data, about 13 percent of model year (MY) 2019 vehicles sold in the United States came equipped with a rear seat belt warning system. We also seek comment about whether a rear seat belt warning would reliably detect a child restraint system attached by a child restraint anchorage system, or LATCH.[102]. ), the Secretary of Transportation is responsible for prescribing motor vehicle safety standards that are practicable, meet the need for motor vehicle safety, and are stated in objective terms. This information is not part of the official Federal Register document. As it continues with the proceeding required to be initiated by MAP-21, NHTSA seeks comment on a variety of issues related to amending FMVSS No. This action is not subject to the requirements of E.O. Content-Disposition: form-data; name="813326.pdf"; filename="813326.pdf" 0000045181 00000 n The Euro NCAP protocol for Safety Assist systems describes which features a seat belt reminder must have to qualify for extra points. Road rage is the term used to refer to physical assaults that result from a traffic dispute. Open for Comment, Applications for New Awards-American History and Civics Education National Activities Program, Economic Sanctions & Foreign Assets Control, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Salmonella in Not-Ready-To-Eat Breaded Stuffed Chicken Products, Authority To Order the Ready Reserve of the Armed Forces to Active Duty To Address International Drug Trafficking, Revitalizing Our Nation's Commitment to Environmental Justice for All, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Current Driver's Seat Belt Warning Requirements, NHTSA Experience in the 1970s: Consumer Backlash Against Seat Belt Interlock and Subsequent Statutory Limitation on Belt Warning Requirements, IV. NHTSA especially seeks any data related to these issues. One scenario is when the driver uses a remote engine starter so that the initial warning activates before the driver (and perhaps the rear seat occupants) are in the vehicle. The analysis demonstrated that the presence of an enhanced front seat belt reminder system increased front outboard passenger seat belt use by about 3 to 4 percentage points more than in vehicles with only a driver seat belt warning system meeting the minimum requirements in S7.3.[96]. Mazda and Ford introduced rear seat belt reminders in MY 2018 and 2019, respectively. Speeding was a contributing factor in 27% of all fatal crashes in 2016, and 10,111 lives were lost in speeding-related crashes. We also seek comment on how to quantify the effectiveness of a rear seat belt warning system, including data related to this. 04/28/2023, 39 NHTSA has implemented a variety of non-regulatory approaches to increase seat belt use, such as the annual Click It or Ticket mobilization, which includes a national advertising campaign backed up by high-visibility local enforcement of state seat belt laws. 35. 208, S7.3; this amendment would reflect MAP-21's repeal of the statutory limitation that was the basis for this provision. 95. We seek comment on whether NHTSA should propose warning system requirements that would necessitate occupant detection for the rear seats, and the technical and cost feasibility of doing so. About 13 percent of model year (MY) 2019 vehicles sold in the United States came equipped with a rear seat belt warning system. Special Report 278 at 18, Committee for the Safety Belt Technology Study, Transportation Research Board of The National Academies (2003) [hereinafter Transportation Research Board Study]. This could be addressed by requiring a sequential logic system. In order for a rear seat belt warning to have an impact on seat belt use, it must balance effectiveness with acceptability. This might be addressed by programming the system to require input from door or occupant sensors to verify that the driver is in the vehicle. corresponding official PDF file on govinfo.gov. Euro NCAP specifies at least a 90 second visual signal for the front seats and only a 60 second visual signal for the rear seats in order to earn bonus points. 0000046276 00000 n Using a seat belt is one of the most effective actions a motor vehicle occupant can take to prevent death and injury in a crash. For example, among drivers of vehicles with a rear seat belt warning, approximately 80 percent were satisfied with the system and 65 percent reported that the rear seat belt warning made it easier to encourage rear seat passengers to buckle up. [74] DOT HS 810 975. Get an answer. 0000046473 00000 n Motor vehicle safety is defined in the Motor Vehicle Safety Act as the performance of a motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment in a way that protects the public against unreasonable risk of accidents occurring because of the design, construction, or performance of a motor vehicle, and against unreasonable risk of death or injury in an accident, and includes nonoperational safety of a motor vehicle.[52] 16, Revision 9 8.4.3.3 and 8.4.4.5; European New Car Assessment Programme Assessment ProtocolSafety Assist, 3.1.5. Such systems are also better able to appropriately target audible warnings or longer-duration visual warnings (enhanced warnings). 0000002926 00000 n daily Federal Register on FederalRegister.gov will remain an unofficial documents in the last year, 669 Their assessment protocol dictates the requirements for the activation and duration of the warning signals for front and rear seats including a change of status warning. 208 to require a seat belt warning system for rear seats on passenger cars and multipurpose passenger vehicles (MPVs) with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) or less. See infra, Part V. 46. 0000016204 00000 n Rear seat belts are generally required except in certain buses (such as school buses) between 10,000 lb and 26,000 lb, and for school, perimeter, and transit buses over 26,000 lb. Enhanced warnings therefore generally need to work in conjunction with an occupant detection system, and even this might not completely eliminate the possibilities of false warnings (for example, if a rear seat is occupied by a pet or groceries). However, research has not yet firmly established which system characteristics are optimal. startxref 61. You can arrange with the docket to be notified when others file comments in the docket. To what extent would a deactivation feature reduce the effectiveness of the warning? Five commenters opposed requiring rear seat belt warnings: Ford Motor Company, General Motors, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers (now known as the Association of Global Automakers), and a commenter from the general public. The new ECE regulation specifies a first level 30 second visual warning and second level 30 second audiovisual warning for the front seats and a 60 second visual signal for the rear seats. Donna Glassbrenner & Marc Starnes. 0000031738 00000 n A single-trip manual activation refers to a feature that allows the driver to acknowledge a visual or audio signale.g., with a press of a buttonand not continue seeing or hearing it. [24] 04/28/2023, 204 Akamatsu, M., Hashimoto, H., and Shimaoka, S., Assessment Method of Effectiveness of Passenger Seat Belt Reminder, SAE Technical Paper 2012-01-0050, 2012, doi:10.4271/2012-01-0050. See, e.g., Interpretation Letter from NHTSA to R. Lucki (July 24, 1985) (Thus, the intent was to require a warning system for only the driver's position.), available at http://isearch.nhtsa.gov/search.htm. The RFC discussed the agency's research and findings regarding requiring rear seat belt warnings and solicited comments. Under good weather and clear visibility, what minimum following distance should you keep between your car and the car in front of you? This seat belt warning option required audible and visible warning signals that lasted for as long as the occupant was unbelted, the ignition was on, and the transmission was in forward or reverse. 67-68. d. Cu(OH)2\mathrm{Cu}(\mathrm{OH})_2Cu(OH)2 0000006317 00000 n awards points for front and rear seat belt reminder systems (SBRSs) as part of their Safety Assist score. 23. NHTSA seeks comment on what types of rear seat belt warnings consumers would accept. July 2003. The new ECE regulation also specifies that a change-of-status audible warning component be 30 seconds long.[85]. The second study used an experimental or focus-group-based approach to study consumer acceptance as well as effectiveness. As it continues with this proceeding, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) seeks comment on a variety of issues related to a requirement for a rear seat belt warning system, including potential requirements for such systems, the vehicles to which they should apply, their effectiveness, the likely consumer acceptance, and the associated costs and benefits. The survey observes seat belt use as it actually occurs at randomly-selected roadway sites, and involves a large number of occupants (almost 64,000 in 2015). The agency has presented a wide variety of different potential alert systems, all with different cost and effectiveness profiles, and is not at this time conducting a cost-benefit analysis on any particular approach. 0000031013 00000 n Harmonization with regulatory requirements or new car assessment programs in other markets. when you grip the steering wheel you should place your hands on the steering wheel at the 3 and 9 or 4 and 8 o'clock positions to allow room for air bags to deploy. Vehicle occupants include drivers and passengers. WebBased on an analysis of seat belt wearing rates among crash involved and non-crash involved drivers in Norway it is estimated that unbelted drivers have 8.3 times the fatal crash risk and 5.2 times the serious injury crash risk of belted drivers. Nathan K. Greenwell. Webpounds or less. [58] The OFR/GPO partnership is committed to presenting accurate and reliable xref 0000101538 00000 n 70. How would the costs and benefits of such a warning compare to more traditional types of warnings? IIHS reported that enhanced SBRSs are standard equipment for the driver and front passenger in 90 and 78 percent, respectively, of the 2013 vehicle models. In addition, because of respondent bias, the large number of part time users, and the tendency for survey respondents to over-report belt use, MVOSS use rates have typically been about 10 percentage points higher than those from NOPUS. 0000184582 00000 n Fatality Reduction by Seat Belts in the Center Rear Seat and Comparison of Occupants' Relative Fatality Risk at Various Seating Positions. 0000113571 00000 n In light of the Congressional directives concerning seat belt warnings, NHTSA has taken a variety of actions to research the effectiveness and acceptance of seat belt warnings. 0000031853 00000 n The most frequently recorded BAC level among drinking drivers in fatal crashes was ___. 4092 0 obj <> endobj 4172 0 obj <>stream insomnia. 0000010422 00000 n No visual signal is required if all the rear occupants are belted. Such redesign would have to take into account visibility, interaction with existing signals and displays, available space on the instrument panel, and effectiveness, as well as other factors. Explain why you agree or disagree, suggest alternatives, and substitute language for your requested changes. The thrill of danger For rear seats, a visual signal must start once the ignition switch is engaged. The study found that overall, drivers of vehicles with a rear seat belt warning system were satisfied with the system and noticed an increase in rear seat belt use. Acceptability and Potential Effectiveness of Enhanced Seat Belt Reminder System Features. DOT 2007 Acceptability Study, supra, pp. [81] documents in the last year, by the Food Safety and Inspection Service How much more effective would the more informative negative-only and full-status systems be? As discussed above, Congress enacted this restriction in 1974. True Modern vehicles are designed to crush when they crash to absorb This could be addressed by utilizing seat belt buckle and spool-out sensors and deactivating the warning only if the webbing were spooled out more than a predetermined length. Potential Specifications for a Required Rear Belt Warning System, E. Technological and Economic Feasibility, I. %PDF-1.4 % [94], A rear seat belt warning system can increase rear seat belt use in two ways: It can remind a rear seat occupant to fasten his or her belt, and it can inform the driver that a passenger is unbuckled, so that the driver can request the occupant to fasten their belt. Should NHTSA propose one or more of these systems as requirements or compliance options? 22. The belt was buckled before the occupant sat in the seat. 0000017138 00000 n Some research may suggest that having the warning visible to the unbelted occupant may increase effectiveness. headings within the legal text of Federal Register documents. If you hit an unoccupied vehicle, you want to handle the situation as if there was a driver present. 57. A.) S4.2.6 (with the exception of some options). Learn more here. We also seek comment on ways to propose performance requirements that provide manufacturers with the flexibility to design a warning system that is appropriate for each vehicle type. The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act of 2012 (MAP-21) directs the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a rulemaking proceeding to amend Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. [9] While every effort has been made to ensure that Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, p. 10. 100% of the ports are level 2 FMVSS No. If it mandates an audible warning, should NHTSA specify any additional audible warning characteristics (for example, a minimum/maximum sound level)? National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Department of Transportation (DOT). NHTSA seeks comment on this issue, particularly on whether such electrical connection requirements should be proposed, and if so what they should be, and what types of seats they should be required for. What minimum length of time would be sufficient to capture the driver's (or passenger's) attention for the rear seat belt warning, without becoming a distraction or nuisance for the driver (or passenger)? Charles J. Kahane. The warnings provided by seat belt warning systems typically consist of visual and/or audible signals. 30111. 0000011618 00000 n documents in the last year, by the International Trade Commission For rear seats, only the first level warning is required, which consists of a visual warning that must be active for at least 60 seconds. For a fuller discussion of the history of the active and passive protection requirements in FMVSS No. In order to earn bonus points, Euro NCAP requires the system to activate the change of status warning immediately at vehicle speeds over 25 km/h. [11]