Interpretation ID: 3037yy
Engineering Manager
Special Service Vehicles
Utilimaster Corporation
65266 State Road 19
P.O. Box 585
Wakarusa, IN 46573
Dear Mr. Pugh:
This responds to your letter of April 15, 1991 regarding requirements for safety belts and door hardware in the prisoner area of police vehicles. Specifically, you asked if police vehicles are required to have seatbelts for prisoners, and if so, what type. You also asked if these vehicles are required to meet the door hardware requirements of Standard No. 206 for rear and side doors.
All new vehicles, including police vehicles, are required to comply with all safety standards applicable to their type. Therefore, police vehicles, unless they are buses, are required to have safety belts at all designated seating positions when they are sold to the customer. Our December 13, 1990 letter to you regarding van conversions summarizes what type of safety belts are required depending on the seating position and vehicle type.
In addition, police vehicles are required to comply with the requirements of Standard No. 206, if the vehicle is classified as a passenger car, a multipurpose passenger vehicle or a truck. You should note, however, that the requirements of Standard No. 206 do not apply to back doors, including car hatchbacks, van rear doors, and pickup truck tailgates.
I hope you find this information helpful. If you have further questions, please contact Mary Versailles of my staff at this address or by telephone at (202) 366-2992.
Sincerely,
Paul Jackson Rice Chief Counsel /ref:206#207#208#210 d:6/l0/9l