In what year were passive restraints mandated in motor vehicles?

• A. 1979
• B. 1996
• C. 1984
• D. 1992

Answer: (C)

Passive restraints are systems that restrain occupants without any action by the person in the seat, such as automatic seat belts or airbags. In the United States, the federal government required these passive restraints in new motor vehicles starting in 1984. This marked a shift from relying on drivers to fasten their seat belts (active restraint) to ensuring occupants are restrained automatically, improving protection in crashes even if a belt isn’t fastened. While there was initial debate about comfort and acceptance, the mandate pushed manufacturers to adopt automatic restraint systems, paving the way for airbags and other passive technologies to become standard. So, 1984 is the year the requirement took effect.