Law & Order

THE WINDSHIELD WILL BE CLEAR OF OBJECTS, RULE OR NO RULE

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) believes the windshield zone intrusion standard (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 219) is now unnecessary. The rule dates back to 1975 and is intended to make sure the windshield area is clear of other motor-vehicle components in case of an accident.

The NHTSA believes FMVSS No. 208, the occupant crash protection rule, already accomplishes the same mission of reducing crash injuries and fatalities that result from occupants contacting vehicle components displaced near or through the windshield. Airbags have provided added safety protections. FMVSS No. 113, the hold latch system, may also make the windshield zone rule unnecessary since it reduces incidents of inadvertent hood openings. The NHTSA is expected to remove the rule in the coming months, pending public comment.

Details: Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.