pnichols wrote:
I notice that all modern cars/SUVs/cross-overs/PU trucks have headrests on the backs of all personnel seats. Of course this make all the sense in the world.
Then .... why don't all the states in (at least) the list above also require headrests on all the forward facing, rear facing, and side facing passenger seatbacks where seatbelts are required? :h
Mainly because vehicle equipment standards are defined at the federal level. The use of seat belts (and other equipment, e.g. headlights when the wipers are on) is legislated at the state level, but the requirements for new vehicles are not with the exception of California emissions requirements. Imagine how hard it would be for a vehicle maker to comply with fifty different and potentially contradictory sets of requirements.
Some of the standard safety equipment on cars is not due directly to legislation but due to crashworthyness ratings promulgated by the insurance industry. I don't know for a fact whether or not headrests fall into that category these days.
