Interpretation ID: nht73-4.22

DATE: 05/23/73

FROM: AUTHOR UNAVAILABLE; Claude S. Brinegar; NHTSA

TO: National Motor Vehicle Safety Advisory Council

TITLE: FMVSS INTERPRETATION

TEXT: In response to the March 15 resolution of the National Motor Vehicle Safety Advisory Council urging removal of the legal barriers to the introduction of passive restraint systems, I can report that the Department has taken a major step in the direction the Council urges. The proposed test dummy regulation, published April 2, is intended to permit manufacturers to produce vehicles with passive restraint systems under either of the passive options available before passive restraints become mandatory. Upon adoption of the proposed regulation and of the corresponding amendment to Standard 208, the first barrier addressed in the Council's resolution will be removed.

The Council's second concern is with the seat belt installation laws of the States. It would be unfortunate if these laws interfere with the evaluation of fully passive restraint systems. The Department will take such steps as seem advisable to remove any legal obstruction to the manufacture and use of vehicles with fully passive systems. We expect to announce our position on this point shortly.