Interpretation ID: aiam3413
Director
Regulatory Research and Analysis
Chrysler Corporation
P.O. Box 1919
Detroit
MI 48288;
Dear Mr. Sornson: This responds to your recent letter requesting an interpretatio concerning the seat belt warning system requirements of Safety Standard No. 208. You ask whether the standard permits the audible warning system to activate even when the seat belt is buckled. If the agency's response is negative, you ask that your letter be treated as a petition for rulemaking.; The answer to your question is no. The audible warning system canno activate if the seat belt is buckled. This same question was asked in a request for interpretation and petition for rulemaking submitted by American Motors Corporation in 1979. Enclosed is a copy of the agency's December 31, 1979, response to American Motors, which explains the rationale for this interpretation.; The agency's position has not changed since the response to America Motors, although as part of our regulatory review, we do plan to look closely at the warning system requirements of Standard No. 208 in their entirety. That review could lead to major changes in the warning system requirements, and we will give serious consideration to your request during our analysis. At the current time, however, we deny your petition for rulemaking since the requested change is inconsistent with the rationale for the existing warning system requirements.; Sincerely, Frank Berndt, Chief Counsel