Action
Final rule.
Summary
This final rule establishes a new Federal motor vehicle safety standard that requires motor vehicle manufacturers to provide motorists with a new way of installing child restraints. In the future, vehicles will be equipped with child restraint anchorage systems that are standardized and independent of the vehicle seat belts. The new independent system will have two lower anchorages, and one upper anchorage. Each lower anchorage will include a rigid round rod or ``bar'' unto which a hook, a jaw-like buckle or other connector can be snapped. The bars will be located at the intersection of the vehicle seat cushion and seat back. The upper anchorage will be a ring-like object to which the upper tether of a child restraint system can be attached. The new independent anchorage system will be required to be installed at two rear seating positions. In addition, a tether anchorage will be required at a third position. This final rule also amends the child restraint standard to require child restraints to be equipped with means for attaching to the new independent anchorage system. This final rule is being issued because the full effectiveness of child restraint systems is not being realized. The reasons for this include design features affecting the compatibility of child restraints and both vehicle seats and vehicle seat belt systems. By requiring an easy-to-use anchorage system that is independent of the vehicle seat belts, this final rule makes possible more effective child restraint installation and will thereby increase child restraint effectiveness and child safety. Issuance of this rule makes the United States the first country to adopt requirements for a complete universal anchorage system. To the extent consistent with safety, NHTSA has sought to harmonize its rule with requirements being considered by standard bodies and regulatory authorities in Europe and elsewhere. The agency has harmonized with anticipated Economic Commission for Europe and Canadian regulations by requiring that bars be used as the lower anchorages for installing child restraints. The agency has also harmonized with Canadian and Australian regulations by expressly requiring tether anchorages in vehicles and indirectly requiring tethers on most child restraints. For the convenience of the traveling public, DOT wants child restraints complying with this final rule to be usable in both aircraft and motor vehicles to the extent practicable. To that end, the agency is developing a proposal to ensure that the new child restraints are not designed in a way that might make them unsuitable for aircraft use. NHTSA expects to issue the proposal next spring.