NHTSA Considers Forcing Seat Belt Usage With Starter Interlocks

But first, federal regulators will conduct more research before it allows automakers to install seat belt-ignition interlocks in order to skip crash tests designed to protect unbelted motorists. The U.S. government required interlocks on nearly all 1974-model cars before an outcry prompted Congress to overrule the unpopular mandate almost 40 years ago.

On Wednesday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rejected a petition from German automaker BMW AG, which wanted to skip certain crash-testing requirements if it installed seat belt interlocks in the front seat.

jeffgall - 8/29/2013 11:21:15 AM

+1 Boost

What if I need to start my car to check something under the hood?

Henanamani1 - 8/29/2013 11:40:52 AM

+1 Boost

Right! or warm up the car on cold winter mornings?

Agent009 - 8/29/2013 1:58:31 PM

+3 Boost

Then you will need to probably buy an overide tool to accomplish this.

After this they will probably mandate your hood only be opened by a licensed mechanic.

After all we shouldn't be working on a car.

800over - 8/30/2013 10:03:32 AM

+2 Boost

Ummm...you think they could link it to putting the car in gear? You guys are pretty swift. Conspiracy theorists everywhere.

What really makes me laugh is the "we're losing our freedoms" riff from 009 when the whole reason for this article is that a company HAS to provide safety features for people who don't wear a seatbelt. You want the right to not wear a seatbelt then get rid of the law that says BMW has to pass crash tests for people without seatbelts. Instead you can cry conspiracy to take my rights awsy....it's the government man!

Sciros - 8/29/2013 12:00:14 PM

+1 Boost

I will hax the shit out of my car if they all have this. Mechanical, software, I don't care I will disable it. For real I doubt the NHTSA will do this, even if they've lately gotten pretty crazy.

Agent009 - 8/29/2013 2:00:06 PM

+1 Boost

They did it 40 years ago and it got repealed after a few years after the outcry. Look at any mid to late 70's car and you will see it.

Mustang953 - 8/31/2013 10:24:08 PM

+1 Boost

The people who do not wear seat belts will circumvent the lock out. Why not make all bikers wear helmets, bikes have 5mph bumpers, and air bags? Apparently, they are exempt from the drones in DC. After all, again thanks to the Drones, we have the added expense of air bags to protect the brain dead who don't wear seat belts. So, if this law passes, can we get rid of the air bags, and save some money?