[speediva]

I don't know about the law in NY state, but I do know that my auto-seatbelt in my car is a bit "engineered"... What I mean is that the cable which drew the autobelt back to the shoulder position snapped. My dad and I cut the cable, and physically dragged it back to the proper position. We then removed the power to the motor, and it now is a manual (I have to unbuckle it to get out of the car) seatbelt. This was done by *me* and I am by no means a mechanic. But it passes PA state safety inspection, which I know is more rigorous than NY safety inspection.

I assume your friend is fighting this citation???