Interpretation ID: aiam4232
Manager
Corporate Transportation Services
Carolina Power & Light Co.
PO Box 1551
Raleigh
NC 27602;
Dear Mr. Leach: Thank you for your letter of September 5, 1986, to Administrator Stee concerning the safety belt installation requirements for heavy trucks. The Administrator has asked my office to respond since you asked for an interpretation of the requirements of Standard No. 208, *Occupant Crash Protection*. I hope the following discussion answers your questions.; You first asked whether lap/shoulder safety belts are required in truck with a gross vehicle weight rating greater than 10,000 pounds. S4.3 of the standard, a copy of which is enclosed, sets out the requirements for such trucks. S4.3 permits a manufacturer to install either a lap safety belt, referred to as a Type 1 belt in the standard, or a lap/shoulder belt, referred to as a Type 2 belt, in a heavy truck. At the present time, we do not have any plans to require lap/shoulder belts in heavy trucks. We are taking steps to improve the comfort and convenience of safety belt systems in heavy vehicles. As explained in the attached notice, the agency is currently considering several changes to the standard which would make it easier to use safety belts in heavy vehicles. We expect to issue a final rule on this subject later this year.; If you have any further questions, please let me know. Sincerely, Erika Z. Jones, Chief Counsel