National Highway Traffic Safety Administration June 26, 2024 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This notice sets forth the reasons for the denial of a petition submitted to NHTSA on August 18, 2022, requesting that the agency commence an investigation of collisions of passenger vehicles and vulnerable road users (pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorcyclists) with van-type (also known as box) semi-trailers that result in significant injuries or death due to a lack of effective rear impact guards. On January 17, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition DP22-004 to evaluate petitioners' request. After consideration of the petition and other information, NHTSA believes that the issues raised here are best addressed through its recent rulemaking and the ongoing actions under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). Accordingly, the agency has denied the petition.