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The
agency estimates that the new rule will save 50 lives per year
and prevent 500 injuries when fully in effect, according to a
statement.
The new rule will apply to passenger cars, trucks, buses except
for school buses, and multipurpose vehicles weighing up to
10,000 pounds.
Before the rule, seat belt warnings were required only for the
driver's seat. Under the new rule, outboard front-seat
passengers also must get a warning if they don't fasten their
belts. Front-center seats will not get a warning because NHTSA
found that it wouldn't be cost effective. The agency said most
vehicles already have warnings for the outboard passenger seats.
The rule also lengthens the duration of audio and visual
warnings for the driver's seat. The front-seat rules are
effective starting Sept. 1 of 2026.
Rear passengers consistently use seat belts at a lower rate than
front passengers, the agency says. In 2022, front belt use was
just under 92%, while rear use dropped to about 82%. About half
of automobile passengers who died in crashes two years ago
weren’t wearing belts, according to NHTSA data.
The seat belt rule is the second significant regulation to come
from NHTSA in the past two months. In November the agency
bolstered its five-star auto safety ratings to include driver
assistance technologies and pedestrian protection.
Safety advocates want the Department of Transportation, which
includes NHTSA, to finish several more rules before the end of
the Biden administration, because President-elect Donald Trump
has said he’s against new government regulations.
Cathy Chase, president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety,
urged the department to approve automatic emergency braking for
heavy trucks and technology to prevent impaired driving.
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