Abstract
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has recently opened a rulemaking docket seeking comments on the design of automobile seats and their performance in rear impacts. Two philosophies of seat design are distinguished. A review is given of the legislative history of seat back design standards. The design characteristics of current production automobile seats are evaluated. Concerns about the performance of rigid seat backs in real world rear impacts are discussed, specifically increased injury exposure due to ramping, rebound and out-of-position occupants.