The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is considering a very dangerous trade-off; one that would allow automakers to save money. The NHTSA wants to encourage automakers to install devices which will force vehicle occupants to buckle up. As an incentive, it is considering relaxing crashworthiness regulations for vehicles equipped with a seat belt interlock device.
Crashworthiness
Crashworthiness is a vehicle’s ability to protect occupants in the event of an accident. The trade-off could allow automakers to reduce the amount of structural steel, now required to protect vehicle occupants, and would allow them to skip certain crash tests. Many of the crashworthiness features that are now required to protect unbelted passengers, could be left out of vehicles.
The Problem
As accident attorneys, we know that seat belts can save lives, and we know all too well that seat belts can malfunction and fail. Seat belt interlock devices may increase seat belt use, and decrease serious injuries and fatalities, but does that justify compromising the structural integrity of vehicles and removing crashworthiness features already in place to protect drivers and passengers?
Would this trade-off actually save lives, or does it just save the automakers money?
