Interpretation ID: nht95-4.72

TYPE: INTERPRETATION-NHTSA

DATE: November 9, 1995

FROM: Samuel J. Dubbin -- Chief Counsel, NHTSA

TO: Randall Townley -- Statewide Coordinator, The University of Georgia, Cooperative Extension Service

TITLE: NONE

ATTACHMT: 8/8/95 letter from Randall Townley to Office of Chief Council, NHTSA (OCC 11181)

TEXT: This responds to your letter of August 8, 1995. Your letter states that you are aware that side-facing bench seats are installed in some vehicles. You asked for an opinion about this issue.

By way of background information, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is authorized to issue Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards that set performance requirements for new motor vehicles and items of motor vehicle equipment. NHT SA does not approve or certify any vehicles or items of equipment. Instead, each manufacturer is responsible for "self-certifying" that its products meet all applicable safety standards.

NHTSA has issued only one regulation that would prohibit side-facing seats. Standard No. 222, School Bus Passenger Seating and Crash Protection, requires passenger seats in school buses to be forward-facing. For all other seats in various vehicles, NHTS A's regulations neither prohibit nor require any orientation. Therefore, any orientation is permitted provided that the seat and vehicle comply with all applicable standards.

I hope this information has been helpful. If you have other questions or need some additional information, please contact Mary Versailles of my staff at this address or by phone at (202) 366-2992.