WASHINGTON (AP) — The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced Monday that all new vehicles must include seat belt warning systems for both front and rear seats, expanding safety requirements beyond just the driver’s position.
The rule, which aims to reduce the annual toll of 822 deaths and 11,000 injuries linked to unbuckled rear-seat passengers, will be phased in over the next two years. Manufacturers must comply with front seat requirements by September 2026 and rear seat requirements by September 2027.
“While seat belt use has improved for decades, there’s still more we can do to make sure everyone buckles up,” said NHTSA Chief Counsel Adam Raviv. The agency estimates the new requirements will prevent more than 50 deaths and 500 injuries annually.
The regulation requires both visual and audio warnings for all seats. Rear seat warnings must include a 60-second visual alert and 30-second audio signal upon vehicle startup to inform drivers of unbuckled passengers. Driver seat warnings will feature an enhanced two-phase audio system, activating when the vehicle exceeds 6.2 miles per hour.
The rule applies to passenger cars, trucks, and most buses under 10,000 pounds, excluding school buses. It marks the most significant update to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208 since its 1968 implementation.
Manufacturers can implement these features before the deadlines, the agency noted.
