Interpretation ID: nht71-4.29

DATE: 10/22/71

FROM: AUTHOR UNAVAILABLE; Lawrence R. Schneider; NHTSA

TO: Nissan Motor Company, Ltd.

COPYEE: MR. HITCHCOCK; MR. WOMACK; MR. DYSON; DT

TITLE: FMVSS INTERPRETATION

TEXT: This is in reply to your letter of September 15, 1971, in which you posed two related questions concerning the use of passive seat belt systems to meet the requirements of S4.1.2.2 of Standard No. 208.

The passive seat belt section S4.5.3, was added by the notice of July 8, 1971, "to make it clear that redundant active belts need not be used if passive belts are used to meet any option requiring Type 1 or Type 2 belts." If you choose to install a passive belt system, you do not have to provide a separate active system.

In response to your second question, S4.5.3 expressly provides that a passive seat belt assembly may be used in place of a seat belt assembly that conforms to the warning system requirements of S7.3. If a passive seat belt conforming to S4.5.3 is used to meet the requirements of S4.1.2.2, it must comply with paragraph (b) of S4.1.2.2 but need not comply with paragraph (a), (c), or (d).

Please advise us if your questions have not been adequately answered.