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Honda Says "No" to
Seat Belts for Larger Passengers
June 26, 2000
Administrator
National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration
400 Seventh Street, SW
Washington, DC 20590
Dear Administrator
I am writing in support of Elizabeth Fisher's petition to amend Federal Regulation
SEC.571.209 Standard No. 209, Seat Belt Assemblies.
There are millions of people on the road in this country without seat belts
ONLY because there is not one available that fits them. Federal regulation only
requires vehicle manufacturers to make seat belt assemblies that fit people
who weigh less than 216 pounds.
Large Americans are not less likely to get into an motor vehicle accident, be
hit by a drunk driver, get rear ended, or cause a fender-bender than small Americans.
A large American wearing a well fitting seat belt is not less protected from
serious injury and death than a small American wearing a well fitting seat belt.
Let's make sure that large Americans are not less able to buckle up than small
Americans!
There are laws in 49 states and the District of Columbia that require seat belt
use. What good are stringent safety requirements if we cannot fasten our seat
belts? How can we encourage rigorous enforcement of state and local seat-belt
laws when our own regulation seems to be based on exclusion of a significant
portion of the population?
Please amend 49CFR571.209 to provide a means for large people to buckle their
seat belts before traveling in any vehicle.
Sincerely,
Kathleen S Autote
Registered Voter
cc: Senator Diane
Feinstein
Representative Brian Bilbray
Senator Barbara Boxer
President Bill Clinton