National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
400 Seventh Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20590
Re: Elizabeth Fisher's Petition for an amendment to SEC. 571.209 Standard
No. 209, Seat Belt Assemblies.
June 14, 2000
To Whom it May Concern,
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 laws in 49 states and the District of Columbia that require
seat belt use, yet there is no federal regulation that requires vehicle
manufacturers to make seat belt assemblies that fit people who weigh over 215
pounds. What good are stringent safety requirements if we cannot fasten our
seat belts?
As it stands today, vehicle manufactorers need only design seatbelts that
fit a 215 pound person. This is an outrage. The National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration and President Clinton's Buckle Up America campaign are
asking America to buckle up. Does this not include fat people? To
specifically design nationally sanctioned safety devices that only work for
some people is ludicrous. The extra money that it would take to employ
longer seatbelts and better assemblies (and/or to manufacture extenders)
would save lives.
Fat is also more common in certain people than in others (i.e. older
people vs. younger, African-American people vs. Caucasians, and women vs.
men). I sense discrimination in the air...
Finally, consider this: if your mother were a fat woman, wouldn't you
want her to be protected in an accident? Or how about your spouse, child,
grandchild, best friend? For the record, my mother is a fat woman, and yes,
ladies and gentlemen, I am a fat woman. I urge you to consider this issue,
and to ensure the safety of all our American brethren.
Sincerely,
Amy Soppet, BSW
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