Starting in September 2027, all new passenger cars in the United States will be required to issue a warning if a passenger in the back seat is not wearing a seatbelt.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced Monday that it has finalized a rule that also requires increased warnings when front seat belts are not fastened.
In a statement, authorities estimate that once fully implemented, the new rules will save 50 lives and prevent 500 injuries a year.
The new rules apply to cars, trucks, buses, and utility vehicles weighing 10,000 pounds or less, excluding school buses.
Prior to this rule, seat belt warnings were only required for the driver's seat.
Under the new rules, front-seat passengers on outboards will also have to receive a warning if they are not buckled up.
Front center seats will not receive the warning because NHTSA has determined it is not cost-effective.
The agency said most vehicles already have a warning installed on the outside passenger seat.
This regulation also extends the duration of audio and visual warnings to the driver. The front seat rules will come into effect from September 1, 2026.
According to the agency, rear-seat passengers are consistently less likely to wear seatbelts than front-seat passengers.
In 2022, front belt usage was just under 92%, while rear belt usage dropped to about 82%.
About half of the car passengers killed in crashes two years ago were not wearing belts, according to NHTSA data.
The seat belt rule is the second major rule released by NHTSA in the past two months.
In November, the agency enhanced its five-star vehicle safety rating, which includes driver-assistance technology and pedestrian protection.
Safety advocates say President-elect Donald Trump has expressed opposition to new government regulations, forcing the Department of Transportation, including NHTSA, to complete several more rules before the end of the Biden administration. I'm asking you to.
Kathy Chase, president of the Highway and Auto Safety Advocates Group, called on the department to approve automatic emergency braking and impaired driving technology for heavy-duty trucks.
