Source: EconLog
by Kevin Corcoran
“Fittingly enough after writing an extended review about a book about the pitfalls of rules that don’t allow for exceptions, I came across a recent news story about a recall issued for the recent ID.Buzz electric van from Volkswagen. … it turns out Volkswagen had given passengers in the back row too much space. In most three row vehicles, the seats in the last row tend to be small and cramped, but Volkswagen designed their vehicle to make the seats comfortable and spacious, allowing for a pleasant seating experience. Regulators, however, would have none of this. You see, the back row consists of two seats, both wide enough to comfortably seat two full size adults. In fact, the seats were so spacious that regulators argued people might decide to squeeze a third person in the back row, between the two designated seats. But that third person wouldn’t have a seatbelt!” 906/05/25)
https://www.econlib.org/your-seat-room-exceeds-your-allowable-freedom/