DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
49 CFR Part 571
Docket No. NHTSA - 2007-0014
RIN 2127-AK09
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards;
Seating Systems,
Occupant Crash Protection,
Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages,
School Bus Passenger Seating and Crash Protection

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AGENCY:  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION:  Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY:  NHTSA issued a report in 2002 on the results of a comprehensive school bus research program examining ways of further improving school bus safety.  Based on that research, we are now proposing several upgrades to the school bus passenger crash protection requirements. 

For new school buses of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) or less gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), we propose to require lap/shoulder belts in lieu of the lap belts that are currently specified.  For school buses with gross vehicle weight ratings (GVWR) greater than 4,536 kilograms (kg) (10,000 pounds), this NPRM provides guidance to State and local jurisdictions on the subject of installing seat belts.  Each State or local jurisdiction would continue to decide whether to install belts on these large school buses.  Where State or local decisions are made to install lap or lap/shoulder belts on large school buses, this NPRM proposes performance requirements for those voluntarily-installed seat belts on large school buses manufactured after the proposed effective date. 

Other changes to school bus safety requirements are also proposed, including raising the height of seat backs from 20 inches to 24 inches on all new school buses. 

DATES:  Comments must be received on or before [INSERT DATE 60 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER].

ADDRESSES:  You may submit comments to the docket number identified in the heading of this document by any of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal:  go to http://www.regulations.gov.  Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
• Mail:  Docket Management Facility, M-30, U.S. Department of Transportation, West Building, Ground Floor, Rm. W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E., Washington, D.C. 20590. 
• Hand Delivery or Courier:  West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E., between 9 am and 5 pm Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
• Fax:  (202) 493-2251.

Regardless of how you submit your comments, you should mention the docket number of this document.
            You may call the Docket at 202-366-9324.

Instructions:  For detailed instructions on submitting comments and additional information on the rulemaking process, see the Public Participation heading of the Supplementary Information section of this document.  Note that all comments received will be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided.  
           
Privacy Act:  Please see the Privacy Act heading under Rulemaking Analyses and Notices.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 
            For non-legal issues, Mr. Charles Hott, Office of Vehicle Safety Standards (telephone:  202-366-0247) (fax:  202-366-4921).  Mr. Hott's mailing address is National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NVS-113, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E., Washington, DC  20590.
          

For legal issues, Ms. Dorothy Nakama, Office of the Chief Counsel (telephone:  202-366-2992) (fax:  202-366-3820).  Ms. Nakama’s mailing address is National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NCC-112, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E., Washington, DC  20590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: