On June 17, 1996, NHTSA published a notice requesting comments
on a petition for rulemaking asking us to require convex cross-view
mirrors on the rear of the cargo box of stepvan and walk-in style
delivery and service trucks to allow drivers to see children behind the
trucks. In addition to reviewing the six public comments on our notice,
we have also gathered and evaluated data to quantify the size of this
safety problem. If off-road fatalities by vehicle type occurred in the
same proportion as on-road fatalities, an estimated 114 of these deaths
annually would involve straight trucks over 10,000 pounds gross vehicle
weight rating (GVWR). These vehicles' on-road backup fatality death
rate per vehicle mile traveled is eight times the backup fatality rate
of the second highest vehicle type. In addition, we have conducted
research on the feasibility of improving visibility to the rear of
these vehicles. This research shows that a substantial area directly
behind straight trucks can be made visible for the driver with rear
cross-view mirrors. Based on comments we receive on this notice, we
plan to develop a proposal for a performance requirement for straight
trucks to detect objects directly behind the vehicle to prevent
pedestrian deaths when the vehicle backs up.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 26, 2001.
Document Subtype:
Federal Register Publication
Received Date:
September 29 2004, at 12:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time
Page Count:
7
Comment Due Date:
September 29 2004, at 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time
U.S. DOT/NHTSA - Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
Details Information
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