FINALLY: NEW RULE 43 YEARS AFTER THE LAST ACTION TO REDUCE UNDERRIDE

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), after 43 years, has finally issued a new underride protection standard that takes effect in 1998. To reduce the chance of rear underride, large trucks involved in interstate commerce have been required since 1953 to be fitted with rear guards. But the guards aren't effective unless they are (1) strong and (2) extend down far enough toward the ground to keep a passenger vehicle from sliding underneath the truck or trailer. The 1953 standard fails on both counts. The new standard is better, but falls short of what technology allows and what the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and others requested. The new standard requires a guard-to-ground distance of 22 in. (56 cm) and specifies some strength requirements for the guards but not for their attachments.

Language

  • English

Media Info

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00721562
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
  • Report/Paper Numbers: HS-042 077
  • Files: HSL, TRIS, USDOT
  • Created Date: May 29 1996 12:00AM