Business · 24/01/1996Updated: 10/18/2026 · 1 min read

NHTSA Finalizes Rear Impact Guards and Protection Standards for Heavy Trailers

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has finalized two Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) to reduce injuries and fatalities from collisions between passenger vehicles and heavy trailers. The new standards require heavy trailers and semitrailers with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 10,000 pounds or more to be equipped with rear impact guards, which must meet specific strength and energy absorption requirements.