Automatic occupant crash protection and seat belt use
Definitions.—
In this section—
“bus” means a motor vehicle with motive power (except a trailer) designed to carry more than 10 individuals.
“multipurpose passenger vehicle” means a motor vehicle with motive power (except a trailer), designed to carry not more than 10 individuals, that is constructed either on a truck chassis or with special features for occasional off-road operation.
“passenger car” means a motor vehicle with motive power (except a multipurpose passenger vehicle, motorcycle, or trailer) designed to carry not more than 10 individuals.
“truck” means a motor vehicle with motive power (except a trailer) designed primarily to transport property or special purpose equipment.
Inflatable Restraint Requirements.—
Not later than
95 percent of each manufacturer’s annual production of passenger cars manufactured after
80 percent of each manufacturer’s annual production of buses, multipurpose passenger vehicles, and trucks (except walk-in van-type trucks and vehicles designed to be sold only to the United States Postal Service) with a gross vehicle weight rating of not more than 8,500 pounds and an unloaded vehicle weight of not more than 5,500 pounds manufactured after
100 percent of each manufacturer’s annual production of passenger cars manufactured after
100 percent of each manufacturer’s annual production of vehicles described in clause (B) of this paragraph manufactured after
Manufacturers may not use credits and incentives available before
Owner Manual Requirements.—
In amending Standard 208, the Secretary of Transportation shall require, to be effective as soon as possible after the amendment is prescribed, that owner manuals for passenger cars, buses, multipurpose passenger vehicles, and trucks equipped with an inflatable restraint include a statement in an easily understandable format stating that—
either or both of the front outboard seating positions of the vehicle are equipped with an inflatable restraint referred to as an “airbag” and a lap and shoulder belt;
the “airbag” is a supplemental restraint and is not a substitute for lap and shoulder belts;
lap and shoulder belts also must be used correctly by an occupant in a front outboard seating position to provide restraint or protection from frontal crashes as well as other types of crashes or accidents; and
occupants should always wear their lap and shoulder belts, if available, or other safety belts, whether or not there is an inflatable restraint.
Seat Belt Use Laws.—
Congress finds that it is in the public interest for each State to adopt and enforce mandatory seat belt use laws and for the United States Government to adopt and enforce mandatory seat belt use regulations.
Temporary Exemptions.—
On application of a manufacturer, the Secretary of Transportation may exempt, on a temporary basis, motor vehicles of that manufacturer from any requirement under subsections (b) and (c) of this section on terms the Secretary considers appropriate. An exemption may be renewed.
The Secretary of Transportation may grant an exemption under paragraph (1) of this subsection if the Secretary finds that there has been a disruption in the supply of any component of an inflatable restraint or in the use and installation of that component by the manufacturer because of an unavoidable event not under the control of the manufacturer that will prevent the manufacturer from meeting its anticipated production volume of vehicles with those restraints.
Only an affected manufacturer may apply for an exemption. The Secretary of Transportation shall prescribe in the amendment to Standard 208 required under this section the information an affected manufacturer must include in its application under this subsection. The manufacturer shall specify in the application the models, lines, and types of vehicles affected. The Secretary may consolidate similar applications from different manufacturers.
An exemption or renewal of an exemption is conditioned on the commitment of the manufacturer to recall the exempted vehicles for installation of the omitted inflatable restraints within a reasonable time that the manufacturer proposes and the Secretary of Transportation approves after the components become available in sufficient quantities to satisfy both anticipated production and recall volume requirements.
The Secretary of Transportation shall publish in the Federal Register a notice of each application under this subsection and each decision to grant or deny a temporary exemption and the reasons for the decision.
The Secretary of Transportation shall require a label for each exempted vehicle that can be removed only after recall and installation of the required inflatable restraint. The Secretary shall require that written notice of the exemption be provided to the dealer and the first purchaser of each exempted vehicle other than for resale, with the notice being provided in a way, and containing the information, the Secretary considers appropriate.
Application.—
This section revises, but does not replace, Standard 208 as in effect on
affecting another provision of law carried out by the Secretary of Transportation applicable to passenger cars, buses, multipurpose passenger vehicles, or trucks; or
establishing a precedent related to developing or prescribing a Government motor vehicle safety standard.
This section and amendments to Standard 208 made under this section may not be construed as indicating an intention by Congress to affect any liability of a motor vehicle manufacturer under applicable law related to vehicles with or without inflatable restraints.
Report.—
On
a combination of inflated restraints and lap and shoulder belts;
inflated restraints only; and
lap and shoulder belts only.
In consultation with the Secretaries of Labor and Defense, the Secretary of Transportation also shall provide information and analysis on lap and shoulder belt use, nationally and in each State by—
military personnel;
Government, State, and local law enforcement officers;
other Government and State employees; and
the public.
Airbags for Government Cars.—
In cooperation with the Administrator of General Services and the heads of appropriate departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the Government, the Secretary of Transportation shall establish a program, consistent with applicable procurement laws of the Government and available appropriations, requiring that all passenger cars acquired—
after
after
Source
(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e),Notes
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Historical and Revision Notes |
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|---|---|---|
Revised Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
30127(a) | 15:1392 (note). | Dec. 18, 1991, Pub. L. 102–240, § 2502(a), 105 Stat. 2081. |
30127(b) | 15:1392 (note). | Dec. 18, 1991, Pub. L. 102–240, § 2508(a)(1) (1st sentence), (b), 105 Stat. 2084, 2085. |
30127(c) | 15:1392 (note). | Dec. 18, 1991, Pub. L. 102–240, § 2508(a)(2), 105 Stat. 2085. |
30127(d) | 15:1392 (note). | Dec. 18, 1991, Pub. L. 102–240, § 2508(a)(3), 105 Stat. 2085. |
30127(e) | 15:1392 (note). | Dec. 18, 1991, Pub. L. 102–240, § 2508(c), 105 Stat. 2086. |
30127(f) | 15:1392 (note). | Dec. 18, 1991, Pub. L. 102–240, § 2508(a)(1) (last sentence), (d), 105 Stat. 2085, 2086. |
30127(g) | 15:1392 (note). | Dec. 18, 1991, Pub. L. 102–240, § 2508(e), 105 Stat. 2086. |
30127(h) | 15:1392 (note). | Dec. 18, 1991, Pub. L. 102–240, § 2508(f), 105 Stat. 2087. |
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Amendments
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Limousine Compliance With Federal Safety Standards
Limousine Standards.—
Safety belt and seating system standards for limousines.—
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act [
amends Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Numbers 208, 209, and 210 to require to be installed in limousines on each designated seating position, including on side-facing seats—
an occupant restraint system consisting of integrated lap-shoulder belts; or
an occupant restraint system consisting of a lap belt, if an occupant restraint system described in clause (i) does not meet the need for motor vehicle safety; and
amends Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 207 to require limousines to meet standards for seats (including side-facing seats), seat attachment assemblies, and seat installation to minimize the possibility of failure by forces acting on the seats, attachment assemblies, and installations as a result of motor vehicle impact.
Report on retrofit assessment for limousines.—
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a report that assesses the feasibility, benefits, and costs with respect to the application of any requirement established under paragraph (1) to a limousine introduced into interstate commerce before the date on which the requirement takes effect.
Modifications of Certain Vehicles.—
The final rule prescribed under subsection (a)(1) and any standards prescribed under subsection (b) or (c) of section 23015 shall apply to a person modifying a passenger motor vehicle (as defined in section 32101 of title 49, United States Code) that has already been purchased by the first purchaser (as defined in section 30102(b) of that title) by increasing the wheelbase of the vehicle to make the vehicle a limousine.
Application.—
The requirements of this section apply notwithstanding section 30112(b)(1) of title 49, United States Code.”
Improvement of Data Collection on Child Occupants in Vehicle Crashes
In General.—
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act [
The type or types of child restraint systems in use during the crash in any vehicle involved in the crash, including whether a five-point harness or belt-positioning booster. [sic]
If a five-point harness child restraint system was in use during the crash, whether the child restraint system was forward-facing or rear-facing in the vehicle concerned.
Consultation.—
In implementing subsection (a), the Secretary shall work with law enforcement officials, safety advocates, the medical community, and research organizations to improve the recordation of data described in subsection (a) in police and other applicable incident reports.
Report.—
Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a report on child occupant crash data collection in the crash investigation data collection system of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration pursuant to the revision required by subsection (a).”
Child Safety Seats
Side Impact Crashes.—
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act [see section 3(a), (b) of Pub. L. 112–141, set out as Effective and Termination Dates of 2012 Amendment notes under section 101 of Title 23, Highways], the Secretary [of Transportation] shall issue a final rule amending Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 213 to improve the protection of children seated in child restraint systems during side impact crashes.
Frontal Impact Test Parameters.—
Commencement.—
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall commence a rulemaking proceeding to amend the standard seat assembly specifications under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 213 to better simulate a single representative motor vehicle rear seat.
Final rule.—
Not later than 4 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue a final rule pursuant to paragraph (1).”
Child Restraint Anchorage Systems
Initiation of Rulemaking Proceeding.—
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act [see section 3(a), (b) of Pub. L. 112–141, set out as Effective and Termination Dates of 2012 Amendment notes under section 101 of Title 23, Highways], the Secretary [of Transportation] shall initiate a rulemaking proceeding to amend Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 225 (relating to child restraint anchorage systems) to improve the ease of use for lower anchorages and tethers in all rear seat seating positions if such anchorages and tethers are feasible.
Final Rule.—
In general.—
Except as provided under paragraph (2) and section 31505 [set out as a note below], the Secretary shall issue a final rule under subsection (a) not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act.
Report.—
If the Secretary determines that an amendment to the standard referred to in subsection (a) does not meet the requirements and considerations set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of section 30111 of title 49, United States Code, the Secretary shall submit a report describing the reasons for not prescribing such a standard to—
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate; and
the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives.”
Rear Seat Belt Reminders
Initiation of Rulemaking Proceeding.—
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act [see section 3(a), (b) of Pub. L. 112–141, set out as Effective and Termination Dates of 2012 Amendment notes under section 101 of Title 23, Highways], the Secretary [of Transportation] shall initiate a rulemaking proceeding to amend Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 208 (relating to occupant crash protection) to provide a safety belt use warning system for designated seating positions in the rear seat.
Final Rule.—
In general.—
Except as provided under paragraph (2) and section 31505 [set out as a note below], the Secretary shall issue a final rule under subsection (a) not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act.
Report.—
If the Secretary determines that an amendment to the standard referred to in subsection (a) does not meet the requirements and considerations set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of section 30111 of title 49, United States Code, the Secretary shall submit a report describing the reasons for not prescribing such a standard to—
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate; and
the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives.”
New Deadline
provide the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives with an explanation for why such deadline cannot be met; and
establish a new deadline for that rule.”
Improving the Safety of Child Restraints
SHORT TITLE.
FINDINGS.
“Congress finds the following:
It is the policy of the Department of Transportation that all child occupants of motor vehicles, regardless of seating position, be appropriately restrained in order to reduce the incidence of injuries and fatalities resulting from motor vehicle crashes on the streets, roads, and highways.
Research has shown that very few children between the ages of 4 to 8 years old are in the appropriate restraint for their age when riding in passenger motor vehicles.
Children who have outgrown their child safety seats should ride in a belt-positioning booster seat until an adult seat belt fits properly.
Children who were properly restrained when riding in passenger motor vehicles suffered less severe injuries from accidents than children not properly restrained.
IMPROVEMENT OF SAFETY OF CHILD RESTRAINTS IN PASSENGER MOTOR VEHICLES.
In General.—
The Secretary of Transportation (hereafter referred to as the ‘Secretary’) shall initiate a rulemaking proceeding to establish performance requirements for child restraints, including booster seats, for the restraint of children weighing more than 50 pounds.
Elements for Consideration.—
In the rulemaking proceeding required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall—
consider whether to include injury performance criteria for child restraints, including booster seats and other products for use in passenger motor vehicles for the restraint of children weighing more than 50 pounds, under the requirements established in the rulemaking proceeding;
consider whether to establish performance requirements for seat belt fit when used with booster seats and other belt guidance devices;
consider whether to address situations where children weighing more than 50 pounds only have access to seating positions with lap belts, such as allowing tethered child restraints for such children; and
review the definition of the term ‘booster seat’ in Federal motor vehicle safety standard No. 213 under section 571.213 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, to determine if it is sufficiently comprehensive.
Completion.—
The Secretary shall complete the rulemaking proceeding required by subsection (a) not later than 30 months after the date of the enactment of this Act [
DEVELOPMENT OF ANTHROPOMORPHIC TEST DEVICE SIMULATING A 10-YEAR OLD CHILD.
Development and Evaluation.—
Not later than 24 months after the date of the enactment of this Act [
Adoption by Rulemaking.—
Within 1 year following the development and evaluation carried out under subsection (a), the Secretary shall initiate a rulemaking proceeding for the adoption of an anthropomorphic test device as developed under subsection (a).
REQUIREMENTS FOR INSTALLATION OF LAP AND SHOULDER BELTS.
In General.—
Not later than 24 months after the date of the enactment of this Act [
require a lap and shoulder belt assembly for each rear designated seating position in a passenger motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less, except that if the Secretary determines that installation of a lap and shoulder belt assembly is not practicable for a particular designated seating position in a particular type of passenger motor vehicle, the Secretary may exclude the designated seating position from the requirement; and
apply that requirement to passenger motor vehicles in phases in accordance with subsection (b).
Implementation Schedule.—
The requirement prescribed under subsection (a)(1) shall be implemented in phases on a production year basis beginning with the production year that begins not later than 12 months after the end of the year in which the regulations are prescribed under subsection (a). The final rule shall apply to all passenger motor vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less that are manufactured in the third production year of the implementation phase-in under the schedule.
EVALUATION OF INTEGRATED CHILD SAFETY SYSTEMS.
Evaluation.—
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act [
the safety of the child restraint and correctness of fit for the child;
the availability of testing data on the system and vehicle in which the child restraint will be used;
the compatibility of the child restraint with different makes and models;
the cost-effectiveness of mass production of the child restraint for consumers;
the ease of use and relative availability of the child restraint to children riding in motor vehicles; and
the benefits of built-in seats for improving compliance with State child occupant restraint laws.
Report.—
Not later than 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act [
DEFINITIONS.
“As used in this Act, the following definitions apply:
Child restraint.—
The term ‘child restraint’ means any product designed to provide restraint to a child (including booster seats and other products used with a lap and shoulder belt assembly) that meets applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards prescribed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Production year.—
The term ‘production year’ means the 12-month period between September 1 of a year and August 31 of the following year.
Passenger motor vehicle.—
The term ‘passenger motor vehicle’ has the meaning given that term in [former] section 405(f)(5) of title 23, United States Code.
AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
In General.—
There are authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 to the Secretary of Transportation for—
the evaluation required by section 6 of this Act; and
research of the nature and causes of injury to children involved in motor vehicle crashes.
Limitation.—
Funds appropriated under subsection (a) shall not be available for the general administrative expenses of the Secretary.”
In General.—
Not later than 12 months after the date of the enactment of this Act [
Elements for Consideration.—
In the rulemaking required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall consider—
whether to require more comprehensive tests for child restraints than the current Federal motor vehicle safety standards requires, including the use of dynamic tests that—
replicate an array of crash conditions, such as side-impact crashes and rear-impact crashes; and
reflect the designs of passenger motor vehicles as of the date of the enactment of this Act [
whether to require the use of anthropomorphic test devices that—
represent a greater range of sizes of children including the need to require the use of an anthropomorphic test device that is representative of a ten-year-old child; and
are Hybrid III anthropomorphic test devices;
whether to require improved protection from head injuries in side-impact and rear-impact crashes;
how to provide consumer information on the physical compatibility of child restraints and vehicle seats on a model-by-model basis;
whether to prescribe clearer and simpler labels and instructions required to be placed on child restraints;
whether to amend Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 213 (49 CFR 571.213) to cover restraints for children weighing up to 80 pounds;
whether to establish booster seat performance and structural integrity requirements to be dynamically tested in 3-point lap and shoulder belts;
whether to apply scaled injury criteria performance levels, including neck injury, developed for Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208 to child restraints and booster seats covered by in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 213; and
whether to include child restraint in each vehicle crash tested under the New Car Assessment Program.
Report to Congress.—
If the Secretary does not incorporate any element described in subsection (b) in the final rule, the Secretary shall explain, in a report to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on Commerce [now Committee on Energy and Commerce] submitted within 30 days after issuing the final rule, specifically why the Secretary did not incorporate any such element in the final rule.
Completion.—
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary shall complete the rulemaking required by subsection (a) not later than 24 months after the date of the enactment of this Act [
Child Restraint Defined.—
In this section, the term ‘child restraint’ has the meaning given the term ‘Child restraint system’ in section 571.213 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [
Funding.—
For each fiscal year, of the funds made available to the Secretary for activities relating to safety, not less than $750,000 shall be made available to carry out crash testing of child restraints.
Child Restraint Safety Ratings Program.—
No later than 12 months after the date of the enactment of this Act [
Booster Seat Study.—
In addition to consideration of booster seat performance and structural integrity contained in subsection (b)(7), not later than 12 months after the date of the enactment of this Act [
Booster Seat Education Program.—
The Secretary of Transportation within 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act [
Improving Air Bag Safety
Rulemaking To Improve Air Bags.—
Notice of proposed rulemaking.—
Not later than
Final rule.—
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary shall complete the rulemaking required by this subsection by issuing, not later than
Effective date.—
The final rule issued under this subsection shall become effective in phases as rapidly as practicable, beginning not earlier than
Coordination of effective dates.—
The requirements of S13 of Standard No. 208 shall remain in effect unless and until changed by the rule required by this subsection.
Credit for early compliance.—
To encourage early compliance, the Secretary is directed to include in the notice of proposed rulemaking required by paragraph (1) means by which manufacturers may earn credits for future compliance. Credits, on a one-vehicle for one-vehicle basis, may be earned for vehicles certified as being in full compliance under section 30115 of title 49, United States Code, with the rule required by paragraph (2) which are either—
so certified in advance of the phase-in period; or
in excess of the percentage requirements during the phase-in period.
Advisory Committees.—
Any government advisory committee, task force, or other entity involving air bags shall include representatives of consumer and safety organizations, insurers, manufacturers, and suppliers.”