Interpretation ID: aiam2156
Parklane Towers West
One Parklane Boulevard
Dearborn
MI 48126;
Dear Mr. Negro: This is in response to your letter of November 6, 1975, requesting a interpretation of paragraph S5. of Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 219, *Windshield Zone Intrusion*.; You asked whether the standard permits marking or penetration of th protected zone to a depth greater than 1/4 inch, by windshield wipers during a barrier crash test. Please excuse our delay in answering your question.; Paragraph S5. of Standard No. 219 states that 'no part of the vehicl outside the occupant compartment, except windshield molding and *other components designed to be normally in contact with the windshield*, shall penetrate the protected zone template' (emphasis added.) Windshield wipers are 'components designed to be normally in contact with the windshield.' Therefore, Standard No. 219 does allow penetration of the protected zone by windshield wipers during the barrier crash test.; Please note that Standard No. 219 was amended, Docket 74-21, Notice 3 to substitute the term 'daylight opening' for 'windshield opening', and to add the new term to the requirements of paragraph S5. The amendments are effective September 1, 1976, for passenger cars, and September 1, 1977, for multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks and buses. I am enclosing a copy of the notice for your information.; Please contact us if we can (sic) of any further assistance. Yours truly, Richard B. Dyson, Assistant Chief Counsel