Two senators seek data from automakers on seat back safety

Two senators seek data from automakers on seat back safety

Senators Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) have written to 17 automakers asking for detailed information on front seat back collapse in rear-end crashes. The senators want to know about the strength of the seating systems and the number of known seat back collapse incidents.

Seat back strength standards have not been substantially updated since they were adopted in 1967 and, the senators write, –there is longstanding concern that the standard for seat strength is not sufficie nt to protect passengers in the back seat during a rear-end collision from injury or even death.” NHTSA published a proposed rule in 1974, but it was tabled.

The senators sent the letter to General Motors, Ford, Fiat Chrysler, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Hyundai, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Subaru, BMW, Jaguar Land Rover, Mercedes, Porsche, Volkswagen, Audi and Volvo.