IIHS: Rear Seat Belt Warnings Imperative

Dec. 6, 2019—Federal regulators should amend vehicle safety standards to require a visual display that alerts the driver when passengers in the rear seats are not wearing their seat belts ,the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the Highway Loss Data Institute  (HLDI) said in a recent regulatory comment.

While research shows consumers want these reminders, detecting unbelted passengers in the backseat can be complicated, according to the report. For example, a toddler properly secured in a child seat could trigger a false alarm.

 A display-based system would allow drivers to remind passengers to buckle up, while minimizing the aggravation caused by false warnings.  A display-based system would allow drivers to remind passengers to buckle up, while minimizing the aggravation caused by false warnings.

This type of alarm currently only applies to the driver's seat.