NHTSA Studying Interlocks for Seat Belt Enforcement
Threatening ad campaigns and steep fines aren’t enough to keep drivers belted to their seats.
At least not enough to satisfy federal regulators, who are considering mandating ignition interlocks to force seat belt use. The issue last came up about 40 years ago and was shot down with such distain that it was made illegal for the interlocks to be required. But Congress passed a transportation bill last year that lift some of the old restrictions.
The issue is rising again because automakers are asking the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration to allow ignition interlocks in lieu of unbelted crash tests. By being allowed to skip the tests, some automakers say they will be able to strip weight from their vehicles, reducing emissions. The equipment would prevent a vehicle from starting if an occupied seat’s belt is unbuckled.
NHTSA has said that it sees potential safety benefits in interlocks, but that it isn’t ready to give them the OK. BMW petitioned NHTSA to be allowed to use interlocks rather than subjecting its vehicles to the test. While a decision isn’t likely soon, the company says it is hoping for federal standards to be revised in 2017 0r 2018.
[Source: Automotive News]
Luke is an energetic automotive journalist who spends his time covering industry news and crawling the internet for the latest breaking story. When he isn't in the office, Luke can be found obsessively browsing used car listings, drinking scotch at his favorite bar and dreaming of what to drive next, though the list grows a lot faster than his bank account. He's always on <A title="@lukevandezande on Twitter" href="http://twitter.com/lukevandezande">Twitter</A> looking for a good car conversation. Find Luke on <A title="@lukevandezande on Twitter" href="http://twitter.com/lukevandezande">Twitter</A> and <A title="Luke on Google+" href="http://plus.google.com/112531385961538774338?rel=author">Google+</A>.
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Deja Vu... It's 1974 all over again. Car buyers hated interlocks then and they'll hate them again. BMW - go ahead and install the interlocks. The other automakers can watch with delight as your customer base dwindles.
Seems like this will make snow removal more difficult. Every morning in the winter I start the car while shoveling snow, then scrape the windows once the car warms up and melts the ice.