Interpretation ID: aiam2105
Director of Training and Publications
DPD Mfg. Co.
Inc.
Box 18327
Serna Station
San Antonio
Texas 78286;
Dear Mr. Hunter: "This is in response to your letter of j September 22, 1975 requesting information concerning the applicability of Federal motor vehicle safety standards to automatic cruise control devices."; As you were advised by telephone, Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No 124, *Accelerator Control Systems*, does not preclude the use of cruise control units. while Standard No. 124 requires that the accelerator control device return to 'idle' when the operator removes his foot from the accelerator or when the system itself fails, the term 'idle position' is defined in S4.1 of the standard to include the position set by a throttle setting device. The rationale for not regulating automatic speed control devices is found in the preamble to the standard, issued in April 8, 1972 (37 FR 7097), which states:; >>>The rule does not contain requirements for automatic speed contro devices. It was found that although nine recall campaigns involving 61,176 vehicles have concerned these devices, no relationship to accelerator overspeed accidents could be established from automatic speed controls. Of the 540 multi-disciplinary accident reports that were studied in formulating the final rule, none mentioned the automatic system.<<<; There are no other Federal motor vehicle safety standards which ar concerned with the use of automatic cruise control devices.; I trust this information will be useful to you. I have enclosed a cop of Standard No. 24 for your future reference.; Yours truly, Richard B. Dyson, Assistant Chief Counsel