Section 1391 -- Definitions

    As used in this subchapter--

    (1) ``Motor vehicle safety'' means the performance of motor vehicles 

or motor vehicle equipment in such a manner that the public is protected 

against unreasonable risk of accidents occurring as a result of the 

design, construction or performance of motor vehicles and is also 

protected against unreasonable risk of death or injury to persons in the 

event accidents do occur, and includes nonoperational safety of such 

vehicles.

    (2) ``Motor vehicle safety standards'' means a minimum standard for 

motor vehicle performance, or motor vehicle equipment performance, which 

is practicable, which meets the need for motor vehicle safety and which 

provides objective criteria.

    (3) ``Motor vehicle'' means any vehicle driven or drawn by 

mechanical power manufactured primarily for use on the public streets, 

roads, and highways, except any vehicle operated exclusively on a rail 

or rails.

    (4) ``Motor vehicle equipment'' means any system, part, or component 

of a motor vehicle as originally manufactured or any similar part or 

component manufactured or sold for replacement or improvement of such 

system, part, or component or as any accessory, or addition to the motor 

vehicle, and any device, article, or apparel not a system, part, or 

component of a motor vehicle (other than medicines, or eyeglasses 

prescribed by a physician or other duly licensed practitioner), which is 

manufactured, sold, delivered, offered, or intended for use exclusively 

to safeguard motor vehicles, drivers, passengers, and other highway 

users from risk of accident, injury, or death.

    (5) ``Manufacturer'' means any person engaged in the manufacturing 

or assembling of motor vehicles or motor vehicle equipment, including 

any person importing motor vehicles or motor vehicle equipment for 

resale.

    (6) ``Distributor'' means any person primarily engaged in the sale 

and distribution of motor vehicles or motor vehicle equipment for 

resale.

    (7) ``Dealer'' means any person who is engaged in the sale and 

distribution of new motor vehicles or motor vehicle equipment primarily 

to purchasers who in good faith purchase any such vehicle or equipment 

for purposes other than resale.

    (8) ``State'' includes each of the several States, the District of 

Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, the 

Canal Zone, and American Samoa.

    (9) ``Interstate commerce'' means commerce between any place in a 

State and any place in another State, or between places in the same 

State through another State.

    (10) ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Transportation.

    (11) ``Defect'' includes any defect in performance, construction, 

components, or materials in motor vehicles or motor vehicle equipment.

    (12) ``United States district courts'' means the Federal district 

courts of the United States and the United States courts of the 

Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, the Canal Zone, 

and American Samoa.

    (13) ``Vehicle Equipment Safety Commission'' means the Commission 

established pursuant to the joint resolution of the Congress relating to 

highway traffic safety, approved August 20, 1958 (72 Stat. 635), or as 

it may be hereafter reconstituted by law.

    (14) ``schoolbus'' means a passenger motor vehicle which is designed 

to carry more than 10 passengers in addition to the driver, and which 

the Secretary determines is likely to be significantly used for the 

purpose of transporting primary, preprimary, or secondary school 

students to or from such schools or events related to such schools; and

    (15) ``schoolbus equipment'' means equipment designed primarily as a 

system, part, or component of a schoolbus, or any similar part of 

component manufactured or sold for replacement or improvement of such 

system, part, or component or as an accessory or addition to a 

schoolbus.



[Laws in effect as of January 24, 1994]