Interpretation ID: aiam0614
Vice President and Sales Manager
Lindburg Cadillac
2350 Market Street
St. Louis
MO 63103;
Dear Mr. Maty: Thank you for your letter of February 16, 1972, to Secretary Joh Volpe, concerning the length of seat belts in a 1972 Cadillac automobile.; Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208 Occupant Cras Protection, copy enclosed, specifies requirements for occupant restraint systems. Effective January 1, 1972, car manufacturers are required to provide Type 2 belt assemblies (lap-shoulder belts) at the front outboard seating positions and lap belts at other positions. The Type 2 belt assemblies may have either integral or detachable shoulder belts, but the distance between the intersection of the lap- shoulder belt and the vertical centerline of a 50th-percentile adult male occupant must be at least six inches when the seat is in its rearmost position. The purpose of this requirement is to reduce the possibility of the shoulder belt pulling the lap belt up onto the occupant's abdomen where it could cause serious injury in a crash.; We have examined several 1972 model cars and have found that som manufacturers have chosen belt designs that provide distances of ten inches or more between the lap-shoulder belt intersection and the centerline of the occupant. The standard does not prohibit distances greater than six inches, but it is obvious that the greater this distance, the closer the inboard end of the belt is to the seat and the more difficult it is to buckle the belt. I am happy to inform you that we have already initiated rule making action to amend Standard No. 208 that would prohibit such excessive distances.; Under the requirements of the National Motor Vehicle and Traffic Safet Act, copy enclosed, it is a violation of the law to sell a vehicle that does not conform to an applicable standard. Although the Act does not prevent the purchaser of a vehicle from altering or removing a safety device, after he has completed the purchase, we strongly advise him against such action. A dealer who performs such services after he has sold the vehicle does not violate the law, but he does his customer a disservice.; In regard to the belts in the Cadillac you sold to Mr. and Mrs. T Albert McCulley, we do not have the authority to grant or deny you permission to lengthen the inboard end of the belt. We can only suggest that perhaps you could lengthen the belt only to the extent that is necessary to provide a distance of not less than six inches between the intersection of the lap-shoulder belt and the centerline of a 50th-percentile adult male occupant measured in accordance with paragraph S7.1.2 of Standard No. 208.; Thank you for your interest in motor vehicle safety. If we can be o further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.; Sincerely, Robert L. Carter, Acting Associate Administrator, Moto Vehicle Programs;