click it or ticket loophole?

this just hit me, seat belts were actually an option on older cars right? so what if you get pulled over in a car like that? and to illaborate more on it. a friend of mine got pulled over the other day in his old escort ant he had his lap belt on but the shoulder motor is shot so he cant wear it. he got a ticket for it! does that even seem fair?

there are rules about that now. it's bull, but they're there.

The crap of it is that they will say your car's safety equipment is faulty. It really should be a fix it ticket where they give you so many days to fix and the ticket isn't enforced.

What state was this in? County?

The saying around here on the radio and tv is "seatbelts save lives". I think it's more like "seatbelts save money".

The saying around here on the radio and tv is "seatbelts save lives". I think it's more like "seatbelts save money".

Lives or money, its still a good thing.

I do think that in most scenarios a seatbelt will save a life and especially if combined with airbags. I was in an accident that if I was wearing a seatbelt I would have been killed. That was before the law was enforced though.

For years I thought of my situation and didn't wear them because of the accident. I have a few police officer friends and my dad has worked for a morgue. No doubt seatbelts are better than no seatbelts.

They used to make those shirts that had the stripe coming down from your shoulder at an angle, so when you drove it looked like you were wearing a belt. I haven't seen one in a long time though.

Bleed Dodge

Now you might have come up with a whole new market for making reproductions. People here in LA will buy them as long as you have an earing that looks like a cell phone stuck to your ear to go along with it.

Louisiana?

this just hit me, seat belts were actually an option on older cars right? so what if you get pulled over in a car like that?
Federal law required shoulder belts to be installed in the front seat of new cars starting in 1968 . Vehicles produced before then are exempt from current seat belt laws.
a friend of mine got pulled over the other day in his old escort ant he had his lap belt on but the shoulder motor is shot so he cant wear it. he got a ticket for it! does that even seem fair?
Most states that have safety inspections usually have a provision for checking the operation of the vehicle's seat belts. In my state they check for any rips or tears in the belt fabric, whether or not it clicks together properly, and the operation of motors that operate the belts.If the inspection is done properly, then the faulty motor should have failed the inspection.Another federal law was passed saying that cars made after 1990 must either have automatic seat belts, or air bags for front seat passengers.

Or you could just where a seatbelt...

I still fail to see any inconvenience

Or you could just where a seatbelt...

I still fail to see any inconvenience
I'm with you. I don't understand all the fuss. My daughter was in an accident a while back, and she was a passenger in the back seat in a car with rear shoulder belts. Thank God. All 4 of them would have been seriously injured, 2 of them most probably dead, if they weren't wearing seat belts. I was in an accident where the seat belt most certainly saved me from serious injury.

I don't see how hard it is to just wear the damn things.

Another federal law was passed saying that cars made after 1990 must either have automatic seat belts, or air bags for front seat passengers.[/QUOTE]


Not true I have a 1992 Jeep Cherokee Sport and it does not have automatic seat belts and no air bags as well. As for the inspection part where I live there are no vehicle inspections at all for safety or emissions.

Or you could just where a seatbelt...

I still fail to see any inconvenience
:werd:

yeah honestly why wouldnt you want to wear your seatbelt, i feel uncomfortable with my seatbelt off, like im not really connected to the car, im just floating around inside it.

And no you cant get out of a ticket because your a poor ass whos car doesnt work and wont fix it.

I lean my seat back when i drive, but my belt is attatched to the top of the seat, so it makes for a difficult situation to put it on most of the time.

Another federal law was passed saying that cars made after 1990 must either have automatic seat belts, or air bags for front seat passengers.


Not true I have a 1992 Jeep Cherokee Sport and it does not have automatic seat belts and no air bags as well. As for the inspection part where I live there are no vehicle inspections at all for safety or emissions.

Actually your vehicle is not considered a car. The law I quoted specifies "cars". Trucks usually have a different set of laws pertaining to items like safety, emissions, etc.

[quote='97ventureowner]Federal law required shoulder belts to be installed in the front seat of new cars starting in 1968 . Vehicles produced before then are exempt from current seat belt laws.

'68? my cougar only has lap... and its 73... im not saying your wrong, ild be pissed if i get a ticket becuase of stock equipment though.

personally i wear my seatbelt at all times, and i dont see any bad in it wearing one anyway... just for safety, but it also keeps me from sliding in my seat.

I do think that in most scenarios a seatbelt will save a life and especially if combined with airbags. I was in an accident that if I was wearing a seatbelt I would have been killed. That was before the law was enforced though.

For years I thought of my situation and didn't wear them because of the accident. I have a few police officer friends and my dad has worked for a morgue. No doubt seatbelts are better than no seatbelts.

A guy i played football with just got in a big accidnent, if he hada been wearing his seatbelt he would have stayed in the car instead of being ejected out of it, and would have died, hes alive now, just got taken off of life support.

I also remeber a news stroy many a year ago about a woman who got her head cut off by a seatbelt

A guy i played football with just got in a big accidnent, if he hada been wearing his seatbelt he would have stayed in the car instead of being ejected out of it, and would have died, hes alive now, just got taken off of life support.

I also remeber a news stroy many a year ago about a woman who got her head cut off by a seatbelt

One in a million. Hardly an argument in the least.

agreed of the thousands of wrecks in one day most people only get bruising where the belt locked, and the air bag hit them

I though I had a valid reason not to wear one due to the accident I was in and only lived because I wasn't wearing a seat belt. Statistics and fact will assure you that if your even the slightest bit smart you will wear one. I am glad I changed my outlook on it since everyday I have more and more reasons to live. I want every chance I can get to walk away with as little of injury as possible.

I usually wear my seatbelt. I gotr in a crash where I wasn't wearing one. I was rear ended. Just jolted me forward a little. No problem there. Usually just around town I don't wear it but on the highway I do. Plus I lkive 12 miles from school out on the highway so I mostly have it on all the time. Here's it's secondary violation anyway with a $10 fine.

Even 20-25 mph hurts

Seat belts also save time. I really don't want to sit in 3 hours worth of traffic on the way home from work because the parametics are scooping your sorry ass off the pavement. :rolleyes:

Seat belts also save time. I really don't want to sit in 3 hours worth of traffic on the way home from work because the parametics are scooping your sorry ass off the pavement. :rolleyes:


if there is even that much left of them... ussually its a lunch baggy, or shit theyll haul you away in the car if things get that splattered... and remove you later... with a squeegie.mostly because of publicicty.

Usually just around town I don't wear it but on the highway I do.

This was my plan of action as well before I went off to school. The highway is no joke. But now at school, I barely drive or if I do, its like 20mph around campus

Seat belts suck,what if they don't fit you.I'm a big guy and the seat belts in my 93 bonneville ssei and 94 f150 don't fit.Then what,auto manufacters don't care they just want the money.

There isn't a federal law for seat belt usage... which means every state has their own legeslation towards what they deem acceptable. I think he should probably fight the ticket, since he WAS wearing a seat belt, it was just a 2pt not a 3pt belt. I believe the only way it might work is if the car ONLY has a lap belt.

i'll try to do some more research on this.

Seat belts suck,what if they don't fit you.I'm a big guy and the seat belts in my 93 bonneville ssei and 94 f150 don't fit.Then what,auto manufacters don't care they just want the money.

Lose weight...its win win

Well I should wear them around school. Holy crap people won't look and pull out in front of you and if they do look and see you they still pull out in front of you and make you get on the brakes.

In 1988 I was in a head-on collision 'cause some tool decided to drive southbound in the northbound lanes during an ice-storm. Without my seatbelt, I got a good smack on the forehead from the steering wheel. :banghead:

I've worn my seatbelt every day since. Can't see a good reason not to wear one.

Seatbelts are always a good thing... always. My niece wrecked her first car 1991 Honda Civic creme puff... flipped it 5 times and it looked like a soda can thrown up in a tree. They cut her out and she is fine. The seat broke but the seatbelt saved her from being decapitated when the roof collapsed and then ripped off like a can of sardines. I'm glad she wore that seatbelt and that she is alive today. There is no excuse to not wear one.

well... it would help clean out the trash from the gene-pool....

well... it would help clean out the trash from the gene-pool....

Probably, but who's to decide who's trash anyway?

the obvious answer would be that fate decides.
do you want to tempt fate?

I don't feel right if I'm in a vehicle and DON'T have a belt on... heck, after winter, it feels weird to get on my motorcycle and not be buckled in.

As for the person who didn't have functional auto belts (IIRC, the reason for the start of the thread), my (former) Infiniti had automatic belts, and when the top portion failed to function and was stuck at the front, I cut the cable that was supposed to retract the belt and then pulled the buckle back to the shoulder area. As long as I kept it back there and could buckle my shoulder harness in, it passed safety inspection. I didn't really think about it other than I had 2 belts to buckle instead of one.... and it prevented having to deal with what I called "attack of the killer belts" whenever I started the car. Basically, I don't think there is any getting out of the ticket... fix it right or fix it cheap (like me) but don't complain b/c you got busted for it.

Seat belts suck,what if they don't fit you.I'm a big guy and the seat belts in my 93 bonneville ssei and 94 f150 don't fit.Then what,auto manufacters don't care they just want the money.
You should get a seat belt extender.

You should get a seat belt extender.
Yeah, I saw one the news once this rather large lady getting a ticket for not wearing a seat belt, because it wouldn’t fit. They showed some kind of seat belt extender I’m sure if you called your local police department they would know of someone that has them.

- Kevin

Seat belts suck,what if they don't fit you.I'm a big guy and the seat belts in my 93 bonneville ssei and 94 f150 don't fit.Then what,auto manufacters don't care they just want the money.
Actually, auto makers do care. Call your local Pontiac dealer parts department and order a seat belt extender, they are free through GM, all you have to do is ask for one. As for the Ford, I'm not sure of their policy, so I would just call your local Ford dealer's parts department and ask.

complaining about seatbelt laws is retarded.
almost as retarded as fighting a seatbelt ticket.

I was in an accident where I could have banged my head up, but nope I wore a seatbelt. Sometimes I wait a minute to put it on, which is a risk of a ticket, and accident... but I wouldn't bitch about the consequences were it to happen.

once I went on the highway with no seatbelt just to see how it felt. It got scary. You never realize how much you count on your car. I put the seatbelt on shortly thereafter.

You never realize how much you count on your car.
Well I guess so. Look at that big number on the speedo in your sig. What if you blew a tire at that speed?

Things I have learned in this thread

1.) If you get a ticket for not buckling up, you are not smart.
2.) If you get a ticket for not wearing a seatbelt after unclipping it, while driving, in front of a cop, you are really not smart.
3.) If you try to fight a ticket you got for not wearing a seatbelt, after unclipping it, while driving, in front of a cop, go away, you're wasting valuable oxygen.
4.) If you are too fat for a seatbelt fit, you are too fat to drive.

Well I guess so. Look at that big number on the speedo in your sig. What if you blew a tire at that speed?
I more than likely wouldn't be making this post.

Things I have learned in this thread
4.) If you are too fat for a seatbelt fit, you are too fat to drive.

That's a little harsh, don't you think? We had a customer in our shop many years ago that had medical problems and had some surgery. After the surgery, he had to take different medication which caused some weight gain,and his condition after the surgery limited his exercising capabilities compounding the problem. He was still in good condition to drive and fit behind the steering wheel, but his seatbelt was a lot tighter. He got a seatbelt extender which allowed him his freedom to drive and carry on with his life. He ended up improving his medical condition, got off of the meds that caused the weight gain, and lost most of the weight he had gained. Just because you are too big to fit into a standard seatbelt doesn't mean you are too fat to drive. I read an article last year where it said carmakers were going to start to add a little length to their safety belts, because of the growing size of the American population, and the standards that they use were out of date and needed to be changed to reflect current trends. People come in all shapes and sizes, and that shouldn't limit their ability to drive and lead a normal enough life. Opportunities abound for people with other handicaps to be able to drive such as amputees. Just because they also require "special equipment" to drive does that mean they shouldn't?

That's a little harsh, don't you think? We had a customer in our shop many years ago that had medical problems and had some surgery. After the surgery, he had to take different medication which caused some weight gain,and his condition after the surgery limited his exercising capabilities compounding the problem. He was still in good condition to drive and fit behind the steering wheel, but his seatbelt was a lot tighter. He got a seatbelt extender which allowed him his freedom to drive and carry on with his life. He ended up improving his medical condition, got off of the meds that caused the weight gain, and lost most of the weight he had gained. Just because you are too big to fit into a standard seatbelt doesn't mean you are too fat to drive. I read an article last year where it said carmakers were going to start to add a little length to their safety belts, because of the growing size of the American population, and the standards that they use were out of date and needed to be changed to reflect current trends. People come in all shapes and sizes, and that shouldn't limit their ability to drive and lead a normal enough life. Opportunities abound for people with other handicaps to be able to drive such as amputees. Just because they also require "special equipment" to drive does that mean they shouldn't?

That's a rather long winded argument for fat people.

He got a seatbelt extender. end of story.

That's a rather long winded argument for fat people.

He got a seatbelt extender. end of story.
It may be long-winded but the argument I outlined says it all in my last 3 sentences,"People come in all shapes and sizes, and that shouldn't limit their ability to drive and lead a normal enough life. Opportunities abound for people with other handicaps to be able to drive such as amputees. Just because they also require "special equipment" to drive does that mean they shouldn't?" If too many people think like that where will this country be down the road? There's too much negativity and stereotyping going on towards segments of our population that are "different" than ourselves.

this just hit me, seat belts were actually an option on older cars right? so what if you get pulled over in a car like that? and to illaborate more on it. a friend of mine got pulled over the other day in his old escort ant he had his lap belt on but the shoulder motor is shot so he cant wear it. he got a ticket for it! does that even seem fair?

If your car didn't actually have belts when it was new then yeah. But his car had belts and they are broken so that is something he needs to get fixed. Usually the dealer will do it for free.

Things I have learned in this thread
4.) If you are too fat for a seatbelt fit, you are too fat to drive.
Im going to have to agree with the other guy, thats kinda mean there man. Im 6' 280, and by no means small, but what about all the football players out there like myself? Its a real hassel to drive with a seatbelt on in my towncar.
Theres a big black dude, who i donlt like much, hes 6'4 300, mostly muscle, what about that guy? To fucking bad?

Im 6' 280, and by no means small

And by USDA data, that puts you in the obese category :lol:

There's a pretty broad line between simply overweight and downright fat. I can sympathise with folks that are in a situation because of a disorder, but I have no sympathy for people that are just lazy.

And FYI, I know a guy that's 6'-7" and hits the scale at 370lbs, and that's something different because he is muscle! Hell, it should be since he's a NFL OT.

I can see what you mean, i see them fat people all the time, the ones that are so big they tuck their fat in their pants. They give people like me a bad name. Im the fat dude that lifts weights, and is a quick mother fucker, im a small bread lol. For real i use to run a 5.2 40
I decided to branch off of football, because im SO DAMN SHORT AGGGGGGGGGGG
Really, what am i going to do? At 6', everyone on the O like is AT LEAST 6'4 now.. so lame...(i play nose guard, tackle)

For the people who can't fit in a seat belt with comfort they do make extenders for cars just like they do on airplanes.

i read a story about a woman who is pissed at honda for refusing to give her a seatbelt extender. she said she found a dream car and then they ruined it because they were discriminating against her for being fat. when in actuality they were doing her a favor. seatbelts are the length they are because people that size and under can safely fit in the car and have a higher chance of surviving an accident.

people who are that large need to lose weight. the argument that it's a health condition is very weak. yes there are people out there that have things such as medication or thyroid problems that cause weight gain that is virtually impossible to lose. but you need to look at the number of health related weight issues vs. just lazy people with poor eating habits.

i agree with kustm's list of things he learned in this thread, i learned that stuff too. cars aren't safe for everyone. just cuz you're old enough by law doesn't mean you are entitled to it. don't like it? tough shit then do something about it to make your life safer. being extremely overweight isn't healthy no matter how you look at it.

i never understood how people could go without seatbelts. like mentioned before, i feel very free and not safe without mine. do what it takes to make it comfortable. i guarantee wearing a slightly uncomfortable seatbelt is more comfortable than being 6 ft under.

I got my green truck last April, put 11k miles on it since and never once wore the seatbelt in it.

I got my green truck last April, put 11k miles on it since and never once wore the seatbelt in it.
that's not something to brag about. why do u think ur so cool for not wearing a seatbelt? just makes you look dumb i think. seatbelts actually do save lives, its not just some random stuff they made up to take up commerical airtime.

i slide all over in my seat w/o my seat belt, ive been in a number of wrecks... all buckled, some w/ the parental arm across me. my friend was telling me about one of his wrecks.... i gave him hell over it seeing as i was right behind him, and saw the whole thing... some ricer (no offence intended) was swirving through traffic and... well you know the cop "pit" meneuver? yeah at 70 mph... my friend went into the median and slammed 2 trees.... they found him lying across the seats (which i hear is what you should do in case of a rollover... grab the opposite door panel. or whatever you can. he ripped the roll and the locking mechanism out of where ever it was bolted and was in his hands ( well the belt was) ... ive heard of a few of these circumstances where the bolts were yanked out... ussually at the shoulder mount. and it makes me wonder if the restrains should be revised... especially now that we are getting v6's that push 250 hp ( 3.8 s/c grand prix >260) and the v8's are getting almost as powerful as in the muscle era. (for thier size... granted we wont be seeing any 460's, 454's, or 440's any time soon)

I got my green truck last April, put 11k miles on it since and never once wore the seatbelt in it.
3k miles with no seatbelt so far, you got me beat

that's not something to brag about. why do u think ur so cool for not wearing a seatbelt? just makes you look dumb i think. seatbelts actually do save lives, its not just some random stuff they made up to take up commerical airtime.
Its a guy thing..really

3k miles with no seatbelt so far, you got me beat


Its a guy thing..really
its a guy thing to not wear your seatbelt or its a guy thing to brag about stupid stuff? cuz i know an equal amount of guys and girls who don't wear their seatbelts..either way its just stupid. how is it possibly cool to get carted away by the paramedics or wiped off the pavement? especially with the way i've seen people drive. whether it be you or some other dumbass who thinks he's a hotshot, bad stuff happens. seatbelts aren't decorations, they're there for a purpose.

I think everyone should get real with it all... seatbelts are uncomfortable if you never were them... if you start wearing them everyday you'll get used to it... you'll stay alive and not get a ticket... and the cars way back when were so freakin big that if you wrecked into lets say a 2006 civic... youll be totaly fine and the civic will be split in freakin half... save yourself the hastle... get a nice car... get some sparco seats, and some 5 point harnesses... then wearing you seatbelt will be cool... yeah lets all do it... wtf?? just wear it... they really do save lifes... if it werent for seatbelts all that would be left of my uncle is bones under some concrete... my friend also just did 3 weeks in the hospital for spliting his face on another friends dash in a highway wreck... he was wearing his lap belt only but the truck didnt have a shoulder belt.. it was an older s10...

Hell if I had a choice of wearing a lap belt or nothing at all I'd choose nothing at all. All you'll do is jack knife (if not get ripped in half) by wearing just a lap belt.