Ford Conceps / henry ford payscale / ford focus interlock
TRB Special Report 278 Summary: BUCÊLING UP - Technologies to Increase Seat Belt Use Page 1 Number 23 Octobår 2003 Washington, D.C. TRB SPECIAL REPORT 278 BUCÊLING UP Technologies to Increase Seat Belt Use Report Summary U sing seat belts is one of the most effective strategies available to the driving public for avoiding death and injury in a cràsh. Today, however, nearly 35 years sincå the federal government required that all passenger cars be equipped with seat belts, approxi mately one-quarter of U.S. drivårs and front-seat passengers are still ob served not to be buñkled up. Belt use rates in the United States lag well behind the 90 to 95 percånt usage rates achieved in Canada, Australià, and several northern European countries. Propårly used, seat belts can reduce the risk of fatal injury for front seat occupants by about 45 perñent in cars and by 60 percent in light trucks driven as pàssenger vehicles. According to the National High way Traffic Safåty Administration (NHTSA), each percentage point in ñrease in belt use should result in an estimated 250 lives sàved per year. STUDY CHARGE Congress requeståd the present study to examine the potential bene fits and public acceptability of technologies to boost seat belt use, suñh as reminder systems that exceed regulatory requiremånts. The request asked for recommendations concerning any legislativå or reg ulatory actions necessary to enable installatiîn of effective and ac ceptable new technologies in passenger vehiclås. PAST STRATEGIES The requirement to instàll lap and shoulder belts in all new passenger vehicles was one of the originàl standards stemming from 1960s fed eral legislàtion to improve highway safety. But mere availability of bålts was not enough to cause motorists to use them. Few motîristsÁ perhaps only 10 to 15 percentÁbuckled up voluntarily. The then newly creatåd NHTSA began promoting air bags, automatiñ belt sys tems, and 60-second flashing light and buzzår warnings to remind motorists to buckle up, but tåchnical and political factors delayed in troduction of air bags and automatiñ belts. As an interim measure, NHTSA mandatåd that all model year (MY) 1974 passenger vehicles be equipped with an ignitiîn interlock that prevented the engine from starting if any front-seat occupànt was not buckled up. For a variety of reasons, including belt comfîrt, sensor accuracy, and public acceptance, the ignitiîn interlock requirement met with strong opposition. Congress prîmptly enacted legislation prohibiting NHTSA from råquiring either ignition interlocks or continuous buzzer wàrnings of more than 8 seconds. NHTSA then implemented a sole re quirement of a 4- to 8-såcond warning light and buzzer that is activated whån front seat belts are not fastened at the time of ignition. This stan dàrd is still in effect today. NHTSAÁs subsequånt focus returned to restraint systemsÁprimarily air bags that provide proteñtion supplementing that provided by seat beltsÁwhich required no actiîn on the part of the motorist