[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 1 (Friday, January 2, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 27-28]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-34052]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

49 CFR Part 571

[Docket No. NHTSA-97-3145]
RIN No. 2127-AB85


Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Head Impact Protection

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 
Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Correcting amendments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: On April 8, 1997, (62 FR 16718) NHTSA published a final rule 
amending Standard No. 201, ``Occupant Protection in Interior Impact,'' 
to include another phase-in option, allow manufacturers to carry 
forward credits for vehicles certified to the free-motion headform 
impact requirements prior to the beginning of the phase-in period, 
exclude buses with a GVWR of more than 3,860 kilograms (8,500 pounds), 
specify that all attachments to the vehicle upper interior components 
are to remain in place during compliance testing, and make other 
changes to the test procedure to clarify some areas of confusion. This 
document corrects minor errors in S2 and S8.12(a)(1) of Standard No. 
201 (49 CFR 571.201).

DATES: The amendments are effective on January 2, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The following persons at the NHTSA, 
400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590.
    For non-legal issues: Dr. William Fan, Office of Crashworthiness, 
NPS-11, telephone (202) 366-4922, facsimile (202) 366-4329, electronic 
mail ``[email protected]''.
    For legal issues: Steve Wood, Office of the Chief Counsel, NCC-20, 
telephone (202) 366-2992, facsimile (202) 366-3820, electronic mail 
``[email protected]''.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 201 ``Occupant Protection 
in Interior Impact,'' is intended to reduce deaths and injuries 
resulting from occupant impacts with vehicle interiors. On April 8, 
1997, NHTSA published a final rule (62 FR 16718) amending Standard No. 
201 to (1) include another phase-in option, (2) allow manufacturers to 
carry forward credits for vehicles certified to the free-motion 
headform impact requirements prior to the beginning of the phase-in

[[Page 28]]

period, (3) exclude buses with a GVWR of more than 3,860 kilograms 
(8,500 pounds), (4) specify that all attachments to the vehicle upper 
interior components are to remain in place during compliance testing, 
and (5) make other changes to the test procedure to clarify some areas 
of confusion. This rule corrects minor errors in the previous final 
rule.
    Since the publication of the April 1997 final rule, NHTSA received 
two petitions for reconsideration from: (1) The American Automobile 
Manufacturers Association (AAMA) and (2) ASC, Incorporated. NHTSA will 
respond to those petitions through a notice to be published in the 
Federal Register later this year.

II. Summary of the Corrections

    NHTSA has discovered a few discrepancies between the preamble and 
the regulatory text of the April 1997 final rule that require 
corrections. NHTSA is making those corrections through this notice.
    The corrections are not substantive. The first correction is in the 
wording of 49 CFR 571.201, S2. ``Application'' to make the section to 
be consistent with the statement in the preamble of the final rule. It 
is clearly stated in the preamble that requirements of S6 do not apply 
to buses with a GVWR of more than 3,860 kilograms (8,500 pounds). The 
regulatory text incorrectly indicates, however, that the requirements 
of S6 do not apply to buses with a GVWR of 3,860 kilograms (8,500 
pounds) or less. As indicated by the preamble, NHTSA intended that 
buses with a GVWR greater than 3,860 kilograms (8,500 pounds) be 
excluded from the requirements of S6. The second correction amends 49 
CFR 571.201, S8.12(a)(1) to clarify the location of the rearmost head 
center of gravity for the front outboard seating position (CG-F2) and 
make the regulatory text consistent with the definition of the seating 
reference point. As published, S8.12(a)(1) called for locating the head 
center of gravity with the seat in its rearmost adjustment position. 
NHTSA notes that a seat may be capable of adjustment to positions both 
forward and rearward of the normal design positions used for driving or 
riding. The agency did not intend that an extreme rearward adjustment, 
which is outside the range of adjustment for normal use by drivers or 
passengers, be used for locating the head center of gravity. 
Accordingly, S8.12(a)(1) is being corrected so that location of the 
head center of gravity may be based on the seat being adjusted to its 
rearmost normal design position.
    As stated above, these amendments are effective upon publication of 
this notice. These amendments are merely technical corrections of the 
final rule that was published on April 8, 1997. They impose no new 
substantive requirements. Therefore, NHTSA finds for good cause that 
any notice of proposed rulemaking and opportunity for comment on these 
amendments are not necessary. Because of the non-substantive nature of 
the amendments, NHTSA also finds for good cause that making the rule 
effective upon publication is in the public interest.

List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 571

    Imports, Incorporation by reference, Motor vehicle safety, Motor 
vehicles.

    Accordingly, 49 CFR Part 571 is corrected by making the following 
correcting amendments:

PART 571--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation for part 571 of title 49 continues to 
read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 322, 30111, 30115, 30117, and 30166; 
delegation of authority at 49 CFR 1.50.

    2. S2 and S8.12(a)(1) of 49 CFR 571.201 are corrected to read as 
follows:


Sec. 571.201  Standard No. 201; Occupant protection in interior impact.

* * * * *
    S2. Application. This standard applies to passenger cars and to 
multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses with a GVWR of 4,536 
kilograms or less, except that the requirements of S6 do not apply to 
buses with a GVWR of more than 3,860 kilograms.
* * * * *
    S8.12 * * *
    (a) * * *
    (1) Location of rearmost CG-F (CG-F2). For front outboard 
designated seating positions, the head center of gravity with the seat 
in its rearmost normal design driving or riding position (CG-F2) is 
located 160 mm rearward and 660 mm upward from the seating reference 
point.
* * * * *
    Issued on December 4, 1997.
Ricardo Martinez,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 97-34052 Filed 12-31-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P