Law & Order

Rear-Impact Guard Standards for Trailers Updated

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a final rule to update the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) for rear underride guards on trailers and semi-trailers. The final rule requires rear-impact guards with sufficient strength and energy absorption to protect occupants of passenger vehicles in multiple crash scenarios. The guards should be able to withstand a rear underride crash of 35 mph, up from 30 mph, which matches the current Canadian standard.

According to NHTSA, 94% of trailers and semitrailers already meet the new standard. Used trailers are not required to be retrofitted with compliant rear-impact guards. The rule takes effect January 11, 2023, with a compliance deadline of July 15, 2024.

To view the final rule click here.

For more information, contact Caroline Fletcher at carolinef@sema.org.