The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is proposing that straight trucks weighing between 10,000 and 26,000 lb. be equipped with rear object detection systems. The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on September 12, 2005. (49 CFR, Part 571; Docket No. NHTSA 2004-19239.)
Under the proposed rule, OEMs would be required to install on new vehicles either a cross-view mirror system or a rear video system that would make the area to the rear of the vehicle visible to the driver.
Although NHTSA considered the use of non-visual devices, such as audible backup alarms, the agency decided not to include them as options for meeting the rule because it determined that primary responsibility for objection detection should lie with the driver.
NHTSA also wants to determine whether the proposed rule should be extended to other weight classes, as well as whether existing straight trucks engaged in interstate commerce should be retrofitted to meet the requirements.
Comments, which are due by November 14, 2005, can be made online at http://dms.dot.gov or http://www.regulations.gov, or faxed to 202-493-2251.
