The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has posted an interim final rule on its Web site delaying the sunsetting of a requirement related to trailer antilock brake systems (ABS).
The document extends for six months a requirement that trailers with ABS be equipped with an external antilock malfunction indicator lamp. The requirement, which is included in the federal motor vehicle safety standard that governs vehicles equipped with air brakes, was scheduled to sunset March 1, 2009. As a result of this interim final rule, the sunset date is September 1, 2009.
"We are taking this action in connection with our consideration of a petition for rulemaking from the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) requesting that the requirement be made permanent," the document stated. "In a separate document, we are proposing a further extension of the requirement, to March 1, 2011. This interim final rule prevents the occurrence of a potential time gap for the vehicles that are subject to the requirement, should the agency ultimately decide to further extend the time period."