By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) intends to require automakers to install a seat belt reminder system for rear designated seating positions in new passenger vehicles. The rule, designed to increase belt usage, is required under a 2012 law funding highway construction.
As it begins drafting a regulation, NHTSA is seeking public comment on issues related to the warning systems, such as potential device requirements, anticipated effectiveness, consumer acceptance, vehicles required to have the systems and associated cost-benefits. About 13% of model-year ’19 vehicles are equipped with a rear seat belt warning system. They all use a display that is visible to the driver, indicate which rear seat belt is in use and include visual and audible non-use reminders. Comments are due November 26, 2019.
For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.