Marsha Epstein, MD - Comment

Document ID: NHTSA-2008-0149-0005
Document Type: Public Submission
Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Received Date: September 25 2008, at 06:32 PM Eastern Daylight Time
Date Posted: September 29 2008, at 12:00 AM Eastern Standard Time
Comment Start Date: September 12 2008, at 12:00 AM Eastern Standard Time
Comment Due Date: November 12 2008, at 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time
Tracking Number: 80726de0
View Document:

This is comment on Rule

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Occupant Crash Protection

View Comment

As a physician I am very concerned that there is a sunset clause in 2012 for manual lockability of safety belts in LATCH locations in motor vehicles. We have made tremendous progress in child passenger safety, as witnessed by the dramatic drop in deaths. Please do not set the clock backwards on this issue. Lockable belts are needed for safety seats for both the general public and special needs children above 48 lbs. Lockable belts are important for booster use. Caregivers also need to lock unused belts, to prevent children from wrapping the belts around their necks. When my son was young (he's now 28), we had to have a latch installed in the car to allow him to safely use a car seat and then a booster in the center back seat. Parents these days don't have to do that. Please continue all the current safety measures for child passenger safety.