Official reports or announcements from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

New Federal Rule to Require Seat Belt Warnings for Rear Passengers from September 2027

Dec 16, 2024, 10:00 PM

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has finalized a new federal rule mandating that all new passenger vehicles in the U.S. must sound a warning if rear-seat passengers do not fasten their seat belts. This rule, effective from September 2027, aims to enhance vehicle safety by addressing the lower seat belt usage rates among rear passengers. The NHTSA estimates that this regulation will save approximately 50 lives annually and prevent 500 injuries once fully implemented. The rule applies to passenger cars, trucks, buses except for school buses, and multipurpose vehicles weighing up to 10,000 pounds. It also includes enhanced warnings for front seat belts, with the front-seat regulations taking effect from September 2026. Front-center seats will not receive a warning as it was deemed not cost effective. The initiative is part of a broader push by safety advocates, including Cathy Chase, president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, to implement several more safety regulations before the end of the Biden administration, given the incoming administration's stance against new government regulations. Advocates are urging for automatic emergency braking for heavy trucks and technology to prevent impaired driving.