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Honda Says "No" to
Seat Belts for Larger Passengers
July 13, 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.
As the editor-in-chief of BBW Magazine, a fashion and lifestyle publication
for women size 16+, I'm sure I speak for many of our readers who have difficulty
complying with state seat belt laws because of inadequate standards in seat
belt manufacturing.
There are probably more than a million Americans who put their lives at risk
on a daily basis, not buckling up because car manufacturers do not provide adequate
seat belts or seat belt extenders.
My personal experience with seat belts is no exception. I bought a 1995 Nissan
Altima in September of that year, when I was five months pregnant. Although
I was assured that seat belt extenders would be forthcoming, the dealer ordered
extenders that didn't match the model of my car. I was then told the proper
extenders were on backorder, with no anticipated delivery date. Despite many
calls to the Nissan corporation, and suggestions as to ways to solve the problem
(replace the existing belting with a longer section of belting, adding on to
the existing belting), no action was forthcoming. I put my life and the life
of my unborn child in danger on a daily basis because Nissan would not accommodate
my needs. Eventually, in my eighth month or pregnancy, Nissan offered me a rental
car for the duration of my pregnancy, clearly not understanding that the seat
belts on the rental would be a problem, and that the seat belts on my new car
still wouldn't fit after I gave birth. I finally received my seat belt extenders
seven months after I purchased my car, when my baby was three months old. Thank
goodness I did not have an accident during that time, or my son - now four years
old - might not be alive, or might be growing up without a mother.
I believe that the U.S. government has a responsibility to protect all Americans,
not just those citizens who fall within narrow boundaries dictated by an outdated
study. While car manufacturers clearly have a powerful lobby in Washington,
their influence should not cloud the government's judgment in this clear-cut
issue.
I urge you to amend 49CFR571.209, thereby extending the umbrella of safety to
all Americans.
Sincerely,
Sally E. Smith
Editor-in-Chief
sesmith@bbwmagazine.com
http://www.bbwmagazine.com