Fancy Buses Skip Shoulder Belts: NHTSA Says Okay
Published Date: 1/21/2025
Notice
Summary
Legacy Limousines and Luxury Coaches got a temporary green light to use lap belts instead of lap-and-shoulder belts on side-facing seats in their motorcoaches. This change helps them keep selling their cool entertainer buses without compromising safety. It’s a short-term win that keeps things moving smoothly without extra costs or delays.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Temporary Exemption for Side-Facing Seats
NHTSA granted Legacy Limousines and Luxury Coaches a temporary exemption from FMVSS No. 208 so the company may install Type 1 (lap) seat belts instead of Type 2 (lap-and-shoulder) belts at side-facing seats in its entertainer-type motorcoaches. The agency determined the exemption is warranted because the vehicle's overall level of safety or impact protection is at least equal to that of a nonexempted vehicle.
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Key Dates
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