scope:

SUMMARY: In this document, NHTSA is amending its safety standard on occupant crash protection to establish the same 56 km/h (35 mph) maximum speed for frontal barrier crash tests using belted 5th percentile adult female test dummies as we previously adopted for tests using belted 50th percentile adult male dummies. The agency is adopting this amendment to help improve crash protection for small statured occupants. The new requirement is phased-in in a manner similar to the phase-in for the 56 km/h (35 mph) maximum speed test requirement using the 50th percentile adult male dummy, but beginning 2 years later, i.e., September 1, 2009.