Thirteen last-stage builders of upscale entertainer coaches have asked federal safety regulators to extend their existing relief from a crash-protection rule. The relief lets them fit sideways-facing seats with lap-only restraints rather than the combined lap-and-shoulder type the standard calls for. The agency has opened a public comment window on the requests.
Key Points
- NHTSA got matching requests from 13 companies that complete the final stage of building entertainer-style coaches.
- The builders want to prolong a temporary waiver from the shoulder-strap mandate in FMVSS No. 208 for seats that face sideways.
- Under the waiver, those seats can carry Type 1 belts (lap only) in place of Type 2 belts (lap plus shoulder).
- Each applicant asserts that without the waiver it could not market a coach offering safety or impact protection comparable to a non-waived vehicle.
- The agency is announcing receipt of the petitions and inviting public feedback as required by statute and administrative procedure.
Why It Matters
The outcome will determine whether these coach builders can keep equipping sideways-facing seats with lap-only belts or must add shoulder restraints to meet the federal occupant-protection standard.