The United States is set to implement a significant new regulation for vehicles aimed at enhancing road safety and reducing fatalities.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) under the US Department of Transportation has officially announced that this rule is expected to save approximately 50 lives annually and prevent up to 500 injuries once fully implemented.
The regulation will be applicable to most vehicles, including passenger cars, trucks, and buses, with exceptions for school buses and multipurpose vehicles under 10,000 pounds.
The agency emphasizes the critical role of seat belt usage in reducing injuries and fatalities on the road.
So, what exactly does this rule entail?
This initiative introduces a loud audio warning, a feature that many may already recognize.
Currently, seat belt reminders, also known as ‘reminder systems’, are legally mandated for the driver’s seat.
These systems provide both visual and audible reminders for the driver to fasten their seat belt.
The new regulation will extend this reminder to additional seats and enhance the system’s response when seat belts are not used.
This means that passengers in the front seats of most vehicles will be alerted by a warning sound if their seat belts are not fastened.
By September 2027, all newly manufactured cars in the US must adhere to the updated regulations for rear seats.
Car manufacturers are required to implement the enhanced systems in all new vehicles by September 2026.
However, there will be no warning system for front-center seats since the NHTSA concluded it would not be cost-effective.
The agency’s findings indicate that rear seat passengers tend to wear seat belts less frequently than those seated in the front.
In 2022, only 81.7% of rear seat passengers used seat belts, whereas 91.6% of front seat passengers did.
Moreover, nearly half of the individuals who died in car accidents in 2022 were not wearing seat belts.
This rule is the second major regulation introduced by the agency in recent months.
In November, NHTSA enhanced its five-star safety ratings to incorporate advanced driver assistance technologies and a ‘crashworthiness’ pedestrian protection program.
By 2029, passenger cars and light trucks are required to have automatic braking systems.
“Wearing a seat belt is one of the easiest and most effective ways to prevent injury and death in a vehicle crash,” stated Adam Raviv, NHTSA Chief Counsel.
“While seat belt use has improved for decades, there’s still more we can do to make sure everyone buckles up. These new requirements will help to increase seat belt use, especially for rear seat passengers, by enhancing reminders for vehicle occupants to buckle up,” he continued.