This report presents the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) assessment of the benefits and costs of a revision of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 208, Occupant Crash Protection. It addresses three possible amendments, examining each to determine the net effect on consumers, industry and the national economy. NHTSA's conclusion is that the automatic occupant protection requirements of FMVSS No. 208 should be rescinded. This conclusion is based on the following findings: (1) the standard is not practicable due to the high costs and the uncertainty of the magnitude, if any, of safety benefits associated with the standard; and (2) the standard would not lead to improved auto safety because of the potential adverve safety consequences that the standard would likely generate.
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