NHTSA Finalizes Underride Guard Reg

Nov. 5, 2004
nhtsa publishes final rule on underride guards

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued a final rule in the Federal Register [RIN 2127-AH75] that clarifies the standards for underride guards for trailers and semitrailers that were established in 1996. The rule is effective immediately.

The final rule was enacted in recognition that certain vehicles that can’t practically have underride guards installed because of equipment mounted on the rear and underneath a trailer or a semi-trailer. Such vehicles are designated as “special purpose vehicles,” by NHTSA.

The rule defines the space an area on the rear and underneath the trailer or semitrailer that such equipment must occupy to exclude a vehicle from the underride guard requirements specified under FMVSS No. 224.

“The vertical area specified in today’s final rule extends from the ground to a horizontal plane 660 mm above the ground,” NHTSA stated. “If the cubic area extended to the bottom of the trailer, as specified in the interpretation letter, a trailer with any portion of work-performing equipment located just underneath the trailer would not be required to have a guard.”

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of FleetOwner, create an account today!

Sponsored Recommendations

What challenges are top of mind for fleet professionals in 2025? Get exclusive insights from the 2025 Fleet Trends Survey and discover where the industry is headed next.
The most successful fleets accomplish more than delivering freight. To accomplish this, fleets need a fuel that’s reliable, more economical and more sustainable. That fuel is ...
Are your KPIs driving real fleet improvement? Learn how to set smarter, data-driven benchmarks, track success like top-performing fleets, and apply proven strategies to optimize...
Learn how eets can enhance truck utilization and minimize safety incidents using business intelligence and AI. Delve into innovative practices, technology integration and real...