WASHINGTON — Starting September 2027, all new passenger vehicles in the U.S. must sound alarms if rear passengers fail to buckle their seat belts, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced Monday.
The agency estimates the new rule will save 50 lives and prevent 500 injuries annually. It will apply to passenger cars, trucks, buses (excluding school buses), and multipurpose vehicles weighing up to 10,000 pounds.
Previously, seat belt alarms were required only for the driver’s seat. The updated rule will extend warnings to outboard front-seat passengers who fail to buckle up. However, front-center seats are exempt due to cost concerns. Enhanced audio and visual alerts for front-seat belts will take effect starting Sept. 1, 2026.
NHTSA data shows rear passengers use seat belts less frequently than front-seat occupants. In 2022, front belt use was nearly 92%, while rear belt use dropped to about 82%. Nearly half of passengers who died in crashes two years ago weren’t wearing seat belts.
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They do know that you can have these alarms removed with a laptop and the branded software for that vehicle or even a seat belt clip that you can get at any junkyard. How about y'all stop letting people with DWI x3 drive anymore. We'd have less accidents if we didn't have an abundant amount of DRUNK drivers. Need an example how about the lady that's wanted for DWI now. It was her third and had a child in the car with her.
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