[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 212 (Thursday, November 1, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55243-55244]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-27476]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[Docket No. NHTSA-2001-10531]


John Chevedden; Denial of Petition for Rulemaking

    Mr. John Chevedden of Redondo Beach, California, petitioned for 
rulemaking to establish a new Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 
requiring a non-glossy finish on the aerodynamic spoiler wings 
optionally installed on the rear of passenger vehicles.
    Mr. Chevedden supported his request by stating that the surface of 
such spoilers is glossy because they are painted with the same glossy 
material as a vehicle. He observed that the spoilers reflect light into 
the rear view mirror causing glare and that this glare can temporarily 
impair the vision of drivers. He suggested these spoilers be required 
to have similar low reflectance performance as is required for 
windshield wiper arms in an existing Federal motor vehicle safety 
standard. He stated that the very reason that windshield wiper arms are 
prohibited from having glossy surfaces is the same

[[Page 55244]]

as why the rear spoiler wings should be required to have non-glossy 
surfaces.
    Previously Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 107, 
Reflective Surfaces, was enacted to address the reduction of glare from 
windshield wiper arms, horn rings and etc. However, this standard was 
rescinded on May 2, 1996 at 61 FR 11587, because it was determined that 
there was no longer a need for it. Standard No. 107 had specified 
reflectance requirements that apply to specified metallic components in 
the driver's forward field of view: the windshield wiper arms and 
blades, the inside windshield moldings, the horn ring and hub of the 
steering wheel assembly, and the inside rearview mirror frame and 
mounting bracket. The standard had required that the specular gloss of 
the surface of these components not exceed 40 units when tested. 
``Specular gloss'' refers to the amount of light reflected from a test 
specimen. The purpose of the standard was to reduce the likelihood that 
glare from the regulated components would distract drivers or interfere 
with their direct vision.
    Mr. Chevedden's concern is about indirect vision, not direct 
vision. While glare in any form may be annoying, Mr. Chevedden has 
provided no evidence of any crashes caused by the problem that he has 
described. Further, we have reviewed consumer complaints regarding 
glare. To date, the agency has not received any complaints related to 
indirect glare produced by sunlight on rear spoiler wings. Thus, we are 
not aware of any evidence showing this to be a safety problem or a 
source of concern to motorists.
    In consideration of the foregoing, NHTSA has decided that there is 
no reason at this time to pursue a new motor vehicle safety regulation 
in this area. Accordingly, Mr. Chevedden's petition is hereby denied.

(49 U.S.C. 30118(d) and 30120(h); delegations of authority at 49 CFR 
1.50 and 501.8)

    Issued on October 29, 2001.
Stephen R. Kratzke,
Associate Administrator for Safety Performance Standards.
[FR Doc. 01-27476 Filed 10-31-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P