UN R16: Update on the use of three-point safety-belts in buses and coaches
Document GRSP-71-07
3 May 2022
Submitted by Finland
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Previous Documents, Discussions, and Outcomes
5. | UN Regulation No. 14 (Anchorages of safety-belts)

11. The expert from Finland introduced ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2023/27 to propose a new series of amendments to UN Regulations Nos. 14 that removes the derogations for the two-point safety belts. The expert from France and Italy requested more information and supporting evidence. While the experts from Norway and Sweden supported the proposal, the expert from the United Kingdom requested further statistical data to support the proposal. The expert from Australia stated that he would like to provide further data to clarify the way forward in view of was insufficiently support for the proposal. On the suggestion of the GRSP Chair, the Group agreed to resume discussion at its May 2024 session based on further statistical data and a cost-benefit analysis, and then to conclude on ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2023/27.

5. | UN Regulation No. 16 (Safety-belts)

15. GRSP resumed discussion on the mandatory fitting of 3-point safety-belts on buses and coaches. The expert from Finland introduced a presentation (GRSP-71-07) justifying the introduction of 3-point safety-belts on buses and proposing an official document for the December 2022 session of GRSP to remove the lap belt derogations from the UN Regulations Nos. 14 (Safety-belt anchorages) and 16. He clarified that his intention was not to amend UN Regulation No. 80 but to amend UN Regulations Nos. 14 and 16. The expert from OICA underlined that it was relevant to investigate what the driver should do in situations when a passenger was not wearing a safety-belt. He suggested that the issue be addressed to the expert of the International Road Union on the consequences of driver’s operators. He also recalled to GRSP the cost benefit analysis introduced by the expert from Finland (GRSP-70-07) at the December 2021 session of GRSP. He argued that analysis was the result of a low number of vehicles and data, and he requested more data from accidents. The expert from United Kingdom proposed data from his country. GRSP agreed to resume discussion at its December 2022 session on the basis of a proposal tabled by the expert from Finland, concerning the mandatory fitment of 3-point safety-belts on buses and coaches. GRSP also agreed that the proposal would be supported with statistical data on accidents linked to this subject, provided by the contracting parties to show evidence of the safety issue addressed by the expert from Finland.

Related and Previous Documents
GRSP/2023/27
Relates to UN R16 |