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Honda Says "No" to
Seat Belts for Larger Passengers
July 29, 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. It is legally required for people in 49 states
and the District of Columbia to wear a seat belt. Yet there is no federal regulation
that requires vehicle manufacturers to make seat belt assemblies that fit people
who weigh over 215 pounds.
If statistics are correct, there are more than a million Americans who every
day put their lives at risk by not buckling up - because our seat belt is not
long enough to fit us. What good are stringent safety requirements if it is
not possible to follow them?
I drive a 1984 Volvo. I fit in the vehicle very comfortably. However, my seat
belt fit me so tightly that I literally could not move or breathe when it was
fastened. I called Volvo to get an extension. They don't make them. So, I was
faced with 3 choices - 1) sell my car and purchase another car from a manufacturer
that provided seat belt extenders (not financially feasible); 2) not wear my
seat belt (break the Utah seat belt law & put my life at risk in the event of
an accident); or, 3) find a auto customizing shop that would add extra webbing
to my seat belt (not easy given potential liability issues).
I ended up doing the latter. It was difficult to find a reputable shop that
could and/or would add webbing to the belt in a way that would not compromise
the seat belt's function & effectiveness.
My personal solution took time and money. I hope I was successful - luckily
I haven't had an accident and haven't had to test the modification's safety.
I would feel much more confident if my car's manufacturer had provided me with
a seat belt that fit.
I believe that the U.S. government has a responsibility to help protect its
citizens. I strongly support the Buckle Up America Campaign and enforcement
of state and local seat belt laws. However, the government has a responsibility
to all of its citizens - not just, in this case, those who weigh 215 pounds
or less. Not all cars fit all people. However, if a person fits into a car they
ought to be able to buckle their seat belt. I believe that is fair and reasonable.
Unfortunately, for many car manufacturers, fair & reasonable does not seem to
be important. I believe the government has a duty to tell them it is.
I urge you to amend 49CFR571.209.
Sincerely,
Karen Melville