(Washington) The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently finalized a rule requiring seat belt use warnings for rear seats and enhanced warnings for driver and front passenger seats, a significant action aimed at increasing seat belt use and preventing injury and death in a crash. NHSTA estimates this new rule will prevent more than 500 injuries and save about 50 lives every year, once fully implemented.
Manufacturers must meet the enhanced front seat belt warning systems on new vehicles starting September 1, 2026. The rear seat belt warning system will be required on new vehicles as of September 1st, 2027.
