New Rearview Technology and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 111; Rearview Mirrors

Résumé

The agency has received two petitions asking us to amend the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard for rearview mirrors. AM General Corporation (AM General) petitioned the agency to amend the standard to permit vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of more than 4,536 kilograms (kg) and with an overall length that is less than 508 centimeters (cm) to have the option of being equipped with a passenger- side convex mirror with an area of at least 323 square centimeters (cm\2\). Currently, these vehicles are required to have a flat passenger-side mirror with a reflective area of at least 323 cm\2\. The agency granted AM General's petition on May 23, 2001. In addition, Ms. Barbara Sanford petitioned the agency to amend the rearview mirror standard to require that all commercial trucks traveling on interstate highways have convex mirrors affixed to their front right and left fenders to give drivers of these vehicles a better view of the area around them while making a lane change. The agency granted Ms. Sanford's petition on May 21, 2001. This document discusses the recommendations submitted by AM General and Ms. Sanford and asks questions that we hope will help us to determ