11. GRSP resumed discussion on ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2023/29 which complements ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2023/27 on safety-belt anchorages and removes derogations for two-point safety-belts on buses and coaches. The expert from Finland, author of the proposals, informed GRSP that he could not provide global statistical data, due to a lack of resources, to justify his proposal as requested by GRSP at its December 2023 session to justify his proposal. The expert from Australia stated that he supported in principle the proposal. However, he added that the lack of worldwide statistical evidence hamper a world view of the situation. The expert from CI that the removal of two-point safety-belts would ease to secure children in buses. The expert from Sweden supported the proposal. The expert from the Russian Federation stated that three-points safety-belts would be better than the two-points safety-belts and proposed to further the benefits through studies. He also proposed to verify the benefits of adjusting the height of effective upper anchorage point to accommodate occupants of different sizes. The expert from Italy argued that the three-points safety-belts could be detrimental. The expert from Germany questioned the effectiveness of the three-points safety-belts in buses. He explained that the majority of injuries in buses were from flying objects or due to ejection outside of the occupant compartment during crashes. The expert from France informed GRSP that three-points safety-belts reduce injuries in the event of frontal impacts. However, he added that 50 per cent of accidents in buses were caused by roll over and in these cases three-points safety-belts would cause neck injuries. Finally, GRSP agreed to resume discussion on this topic waiting statistical studies voluntarily provided by the expert from France and Sweden.
12. GRSP resumed discussion on three proposals prepared by the experts of the ad hoc group to split UN Regulation No. 16 into three UN Regulations: (a) adult safety-belts and restraint systems (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2024/4 amended by GRSP-75-25-Rev.1), (b) vehicle type approval with regard to safety-belts and child restraint systems installation (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2024/5 amended by GRSP-75-23-Rev.1) and (c) safety-belt reminders (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2024/3 amended by GRSP-75-24). GRSP adopted the proposals and requested the secretariat to submit them for consideration and vote at the November 2024 sessions of WP.29 and of the Administrative Committee of the 1958 Agreement (AC.1) as:
13. The expert from the Republic of Korea, Chair of the ad-hoc group on seat-belt reminders (SBR), introduced GRSP-75-12 to explain that were different interpretations to be solved on SBR activation when the safety-belts was unfastened. The expert from Spain argued that current provisions in the UN Regulation need changes. Furthermore, the expert from the Republic of Korea introduced ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2024/2 to clarify the text of the UN Regulation. GRSP also noted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2024/6, tabled by the expert from Germany to clarify the buckle-opening test. GRSP endorsed in principle this last proposal. GRSP finally agreed to resume consideration on ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2024/2, ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2024/6 and ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2023/32 (see ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/74, paragraph 19) at the December 2024 session of GRSP. The experts from Germany, Japan and the Republic of Korea were requested to adapt their respective proposals to the new adopted UN Regulations and to the 10 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 16 (see paragraph 12 above).