Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Occupant Crash Protection

This document denies petitions for reconsideration submitted by bus manufacturers IC Bus, LLC (IC Bus), Daimler Trucks North America (Daimler Trucks) and Prevost, concerning a November 25, 2013 final rule requiring seat belts on large buses. IC Bus and Daimler Trucks petitioned to modify the definition of "over-the-road bus" specified in the final rule. NHTSA is denying these petitions because any change to the definition may serve to reduce the standard's applicability, contrary to Congressional and NHTSA intent, and the definition of "over-the-road bus" is sufficiently clear. Prevost petitioned to revise the seat belt anchorage strength requirements for last row seats having no passenger seating behind them. NHTSA is denying this petition primarily because the requested force level reduction may set strength levels below an acceptable level for a dynamic environment.